led, pecked badly at 2nd and reduced advantage, mistake at 3rd, soon clear, reduced advantage at 6th, mistake and unseated rider 2 out
rear, detached after 3rd, tailed off at 6th, kept on one pace, never a factor
rear, detached after 3rd, moderate 8th at 6th, kept on to moderate 5th at last, never a factor
tracked leader, 3rd to clear leader after 3rd, took closer order at 7th, left 2nd 2 out, travelled well to lead narrowly before last, asserted closing stages
towards rear, detached after 3rd, moderate 7th at 6th, ridden in moderate 5th after 2 out, weakened before last where mistake
rear of mid-division, 5th to clear leader at 5th, left 4th 4 out, no impression, left moderate 3rd 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, no extra, eased run-in
chased leader, 4th to clear leader after 3rd, took closer order at 7th, mistake and fell 4 out
in touch, closed after 2nd, 2nd to clear leader after 3rd, took closer order at 6th, under pressure before 2 out where left in lead, headed before last, ridden and kept on, no impression on winner closing stages
mid-division, 6th to clear leader at 5th, left 5th 4 out where slightly hampered, moderate 5th 3 out, left moderate 4th 2 out, progress to 3rd before last, kept on, not trouble principals
in rear, slight mistake at 1st, detached after 3rd, moderate 9th at 6th, no impression, never a factor
BREAKEN made all in a Limerick maiden hurdle two years ago then pulled much too hard at Punchestown. He made his chasing debut on the latter track in December 2019 and virtually took off with Paul Townend before falling three out. He's been given plenty of time to recover and Danny Mullins takes over. Winning point-to-pointer, bumper and hurdler The Very Man completed a four-timer over hurdles early last year and has a pedigree that suggests he could be even better over fences but Star Max has now run a dozen times over the bigger obstacles without winning. The Grade 3-winning hurdler Soviet Pimpernel couldn't get to grips with January Jets in a beginners' chase here in December but looks certain to improve while Exit Poll is surely better than we saw at Navan in December and has been given a break.
Breaken (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Led, soon went on, still clear when fell 3 out, at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec.
Calibrator (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, some headway before 3 out, 7th and pushed along when not fluent 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 8th of 16, 17 1/4l behind Hilltop Supreme (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Diegos Way (IRE) 250-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, 7th halfway, detached before 5 out, no impression when slight mistake 3 out, no extra in straight, 7th of 9, dist behind Choungaya (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Feb.
Exit Poll (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Soon chased leaders, mistake 3rd, 6th at 5th, moderate 5th and slight mistake 4 out, soon no extra, 7th of 12, dist behind Conflated (12-0) at Navan 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Old Town Road (IRE) 500-1 (9-5) Dwelt and towards rear, swift progress to chase leaders after 4f, led after 5f, ridden and headed 3f out, under pressure in 3rd and veered left 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Grandmaster Flash (9-9) at Dundalk 2m pol in Feb.
Rocket Lad (IRE) 11-2 (12-2) Chased leaders, soon 4th, closed approaching 5 out, slightly impeded 3 out, effort and slight mistake 2 out, no impression between last 2, mistake last and one pace, 6th of 9, 26 3/4l behind Stand Up And Fight (12-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Soviet Pimpernel (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer after 3 out, left 3rd and mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression before last where left 2nd and slightly hampered, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 15l behind January Jets (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Star Max (GER) 4-1 (11-4) Soon led, slight mistake 3 out, soon pressed, joined after next, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 12 1/2l behind Cusp Of Carabelli (11-1) at Thurles 2m 1f hcp hvy in Feb.
The Very Man (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, reminder early, detached 4 out, no impression and slight mistake next, weakened, completely tailed off, 19th of 22, dist behind Drop The Anchor (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
The Cool Dude 200-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 10th and soon detached, no impression when mistake 4 out, no extra in straight, last of 9, dist behind Choungaya (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Feb.
Fauguernon (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Chased leaders on outer, niggled along before halfway, pushed along and no impression in 8th entering straight, mistake last, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 32 3/4l behind Duc D'Allier (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Jungle Junction (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in moderate 4th 4 out, closer in 3rd 3 out, no extra after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Rebel Gold (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Jan.
