dwelt, in rear, some progress in 6th approaching straight, no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, travelled well to lead under 2f out, soon asserted, stayed on well inside final furlong, very easily
dwelt, mid-division, ran freely, progress into 3rd halfway, pushed along straight, 4th and no impression over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along in rear and no impression approaching straight, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along straight and went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with easy winner, kept on one pace
towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along and some progress in 5th approaching straight, under pressure and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 7th approaching straight and no extra 2f out
led, pressed approaching straight, headed under 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, no extra
Not surprisingly most of these are jumpers and Hidden Cyclone is a top-class chaser having finished runner-up in last year's Ryanair at Cheltenham and landing a Grade 2 at Punchestown in February. Prickly has been impressive in landing two recent bumpers and will make a cracking hurdler but the vote goes to SKILLED, who has won a couple of minor races over timber recently and hails from a yard who can do nothing wrong at present. Tavern Times had useful form over hurdles last year but hasn't run since a poor chasing debut in February.
Arabic Scientist (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear early, moderate 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 7th of 8, 14l behind Hisaabaat (10-7) at Bellewstown 1m 4f am stks (4yo+) gf.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Disputed lead early, slight mistake 1st, tracked leaders, tended to jump slightly right, on terms after 7th, 2nd when mistake 4 out, disputed 4th next, no impression straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Felix Yonger (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) in Apr.
Prickly (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Settled in 3rd, took closer order from 4f out, improved to lead over 1f out and pushed clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m NH flat gd in Jun beating Lady Artemis (10-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
Rock On Bach (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly from 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by By The Banks (10-8) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Skilled 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 14, 7l behind Saarrem (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Tavern Times (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, 7th from 2nd, tended to jump right, no danger from before 5th, 6th of 11, 48l behind Blood Cotil (11-12) at Naas 2m beg chase sft in Feb.
Noble Bliss (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led after 2f, headed 5f out, pushed along and dropped to 6th entering straight, no extra, 6th of 11, 25l behind Awesome Star (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f amat mdn stks gf in Jun.
West Montan (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Led, under pressure and headed over 1f out when ridden, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Cailini Alainn (10-9) at Leopardstown 1m 4f am mdn stks in Aug.
