held up in 5th, 5th when slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, headway into 3rd entering straight, no impression on winner in 3rd at last, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening winner
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th from 4 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead narrowly approaching last, left further clear at last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 4 out, jumped left next, led from 2 out, ridden entering straight, strongly pressed and headed approaching last, bad mistake at last and soon dropped to 3rd, no extra
pushed along to lead, joined 4 out, headed and ridden 2 out, soon weakened quickly
held up in last, slight mistake 1st, reminder 4th, ridden before 2 out, went moderate 4th entering straight, soon no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd and hung left for much, close 3rd 3 out, ridden and weakened from next
The latest instalment of the HURRICANE FLY/Jezki saga continues and it's just as intriguing as the previous races. The great champion has arrived at Leopardstown nine times, all Grade 1 races, and won the lot. He's beaten Jezki twice since losing his championships to him at Cheltenham and Punchestown and, though the latter got closer in the Ryanair last month, the result should stay the same though it may be a different matter at Cheltenham. Jezki appears better in a bigger field with a more even pace and looks vulnerable to the late thrust of Wilie Mullins' star, who is heading for his 22nd Grade 1 victory. His stablemate Arctic Fire finished very close up in the Ryanair, which was a big surprise, but Plinth and Tiger Roll were well beaten. Fiscal Focus produced a shock when beating some smart rivals on his hurdling debut here last month. The former Jim Bolger Flat winner ploughed through the heavy ground that day and if it came up testing he could get into the picture.
Arctic Fire (GER) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, closer in 5th 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 5-6fav (11-10) Ran 5th, progress entering straight and ridden to challenge before last, led narrowly run-in, kept on under pressure, won at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec beating Jezki (11-10) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 11-8 (11-10) Ran 4th, progress to dispute 2 out, ridden to lead early straight, headed run-in, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Plinth (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Led, pressed and joined 2 out, headed early straight and no extra in 4th last, weakened, 5th of 7, 17l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Tiger Roll (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Ran 6th, progress to go 3rd 2 out and slight mistake, no extra in 5th early straight, weakened, 6th of 7, 19l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Fiscal Focus (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Soon mid-division in 8th, improved into 3rd 2 out, soon closed up travelling smoothly in 2nd and led, clear last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec beating Kalkir (11-1) by 2l, 12 ran.
