led and disputed, slight mistake 2 out, soon led, ridden entering straight, kept on well from before last
mid-division, progress into 4th 2 out, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no impression on leader before last where slight mistake, kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, progress in 8th 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 6th before last, kept on run-in, no impression on leaders
mid-division, ridden and no impression 2 out, soon no extra
led and disputed, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, kept on one pace
prominent, disputed at times, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra before last
soon chased leaders, ran freely early, close up from 3rd, disputed at times, slight mistake 4th, ridden in 4th before 2 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up in mid-division, weakened to rear before 2 out, soon no extra
mid-division, closer in 5th before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, under pressure in 3rd entering straight, no impression before last where slight mistake, kept on one pace
prominent early, soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out
held up, ridden towards rear 2 out, soon no impression
always towards rear, ridden and no impression after 2 out
held up towards rear, slight mistake 1st, mistake 4 out, ridden 2 out, no impression in 7th before last, kept on run-in
APPRECIATE IT should cement his position at the head of the market for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins' charge, runner-up to Ferny Hollow in the championship bumper last year, is already a Grade 1 winner over hurdles having easily landed the Future Champion Novice Hurdle here in December where he had Irascible 9 lengths back in second, Keskonrisk a further 3 lengths behind, and Ballyadam the same distance back. He had Master McShee just over 2 lengths behind in a Cork maiden earlier and the latter has done brilliantly subsequently, beating a big field in a Cork maiden before landing a handicap here. The selection's stablemate Blue Lord came up against a very smart one in Bob Olinger in a Naas Grade 1 and it would be no surprise to see him chase him home.
Appreciate It (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, pushed out to assert over 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Irascible (11-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Ballyadam (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, ridden after last, no impression in 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Blue Lord (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd and took keen hold, improved to dispute lead briefly approaching 2 out, headed 2 out and ridden, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Bob Olinger (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Cask Mate (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Waited with, soon raced in 5th, closed up and tight for room after 3 out, 4th approaching 2 out where challenged, soon 2nd, one pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Ballyadam (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Irascible (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 4th, ridden last, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, kept on into 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Master McShee 5-1 (11-7) Disputed early, headed after 3rd, close 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5th, improved to challenge entering straight, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec beating Sea Ducor (11-4) by 5l, 20 ran.
N'Golo (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along brielfy after 2 out, mistake last and ridden, soon no extra, last of 9, 31 1/4l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Wide Receiver (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, headway to dispute lead before 4th, led after 3 out, ridden early straight and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec beating Decimation (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Galopin Des Champs (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Raced in 3rd, pushed along before 7th, ridden and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened and eased, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
Great Bear 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and dropped to 4th early straight, no impression when not fluent last, no extra, 5th of 20, 30 3/4l behind Gaillard Du Mesnil (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Magic Tricks (FR) 11-4fav (11-2) Chased leaders, off pace in 4th and not fluent 3rd, pushed along 3 out, weakened from before last where slightly impeded, 6th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Dreal Deal (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Mr Coldstone (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, travelled well into 3rd before 2 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Not Available (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Hook Up (FR) Evensfav (11-3) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, 2nd halfway, headway to lead after 2 out, pushed along and 2 lengths lead when mistake last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Royal Kahala (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 3f hvy in Jan.
French Light (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, closer on outer 3 out, soon 5th, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden 2 out, soon headed, no impression in 2nd last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd at line, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Broomfields Jeremy (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 3f hvy in Jan.
Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, slight mistake 4 out, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, on terms before 2 out, led approaching last, quickly asserted and stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Takarengo (11-1) by 4l, 6 ran.
Keskonrisk (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 1st, 4th halfway, ridden after last, kept on same pace to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 12 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
