tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold early, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, soon no impression, dropped to last before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, dropped to 4th on inner and short of room entering straight, soon switched right and pushed along, close 2nd and bad mistake at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
led, ridden after 2 out, headed before last, soon no impression
held up in last, went 4th 3 out, close 3rd on outer entering straight, ridden to lead approaching last, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
held up in 4th, dropped to last 3 out, last when bumped on outer entering straight, ridden in 4th at last, 3rd early run-in, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
JEZKI seems to have been around forever but is still only ten. He's obviously not the same horse as when landing the 2014 Champion Hurdle or beating Hurricane Fly a few weeks later but he certainly wasn't disgraced in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time and should be good enough to beat these. Ex Patriot ran a superb race in last year's Triumph Hurdle and hasn't stood still though he was beaten around 3l by the selection at Tipperary in October and is 4lb worse off. Gangster was chasing all last season and hasn't run since well beaten at Naas almost a year ago while Lieutenant Colonel could find this on the short side. Ruby is back on board Karalee but his mount hasn't lived up to expectations after promising much last season.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 33l behind Agrapart (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m (1) hvy in Jan.
Jezki (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, pushed along from 2 out, progress to chase leaders but no impression approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Supasundae (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Gangster (FR) 2-1jfav (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 3 out, ridden and headed when blundered last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 4, 15l behind Ball D'Arc (11-8) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Lieutenant Colonel 10-1 (11-3) In rear, went 3rd approaching 2 out and not fluent, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner run-in, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Diamond Cauchois (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Karalee (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, no extra from 3 out, eased straight, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Feb.
