held up in touch, not fluent 1st and mistake 3rd, left 4th next, 4th entering straight, ridden and no impression in 2nd when edged left before last, slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 3rd close home
led, took keen hold, joined 2nd, left in lead 4th, mistake next and not fluent 6th, pressed entering straight, soon pushed along and headed, weakened before last
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, disputed from next, mistake and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, left 3rd at 4th, went 2nd 2 out (usual 3 out), challenged entering straight, soon pushed along and led, 3 lengths lead last, ridden clear run-in, easily
held up in touch, 3rd after 3rd, left 2nd next, slight mistake and dropped to 3rd 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and no impression in 3rd when switched right before last, kept on one pace, 2nd close home
held up in touch in rear, left 5th at 4th, detached in 5th when slight mistake 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and no impression entering straight, moderate 4th when mistake last, never a factor
Last season's champion bumper FACILE VEGA sauntered home in a Fairyhouse maiden on his hurdling debut and though having to work harder to see off stablemate Il Etait Temps in the Future Champions here in December had a bit in hand at the finish and should enhance her Cheltenham claims. Irish Point, a Grade 1 winning bumper in France, has come up against top opposition when runner-up in Grade 1's at Fairyhouse and Naas though that's probably the case again here. High Definition, rated 112 on the Flat, beat a huge field of maidens on his hurdling debut here on St Stephen's Day but is thrown in at the deep end as is Dark Raven, who also won a maiden on the same card.
Dark Raven (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Prominent briefly, soon tracked leaders, 6th halfway, improved to dispute last, ridden to lead over 1 1/2f out, kept on well closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Doctor Bravo (11-12) by 3l, 21 ran.
Facile Vega (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Led after 1st, 4 lengths clear 3 out, travelled well and slight mistake last, pushed along briefly run-in, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Il Etait Temps (11-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
High Definition (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Disputed early, soon led, ran around slightly and slow 1st, jumped right 3rd and slightly right 4th, ridden entering straight, kept on well closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Jetara (11-0) by 4 1/4l, 27 ran.
Il Etait Temps (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Led, slow 1st and headed, tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Facile Vega (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Inthepocket 9-4 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd at last (usual 3 out), led travelling well between horses bypassing 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, all out near line, won at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating Three Card Brag (11-3) by nk, 6 ran.
Irish Point (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Soon mid-division on outer, progress to 3rd after 2nd, 4th 3 out, 3rd after last (normal 3 out), improved to 2nd under 3f out, ridden and no impression on winner 1f out, kept on in clear 2nd, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Champ Kiely (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
No Looking Back (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 1st and 7th, not fluent 3 out, no impression 2 out, pushed along and closer after 2 out, soon challenged and led before last where slight mistake, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m (1) hvy in Dec beating Brazil (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 2 ran.
