chased leaders, closed up approaching 2 out, soon on terms, led approaching last where slight mistake, soon asserted and stayed on well
waited with, soon raced in 5th, 4th 3 out, pushed along after next, one pace from before last
chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th 3 out, soon pushed along and one pace
prominent, jumped well, on terms 2nd, led 5th, joined from 2 out, headed approaching last, soon no impression, kept on run-in to prevail for 2nd close home
led, jumped slightly right 1st, joined 2nd, slight mistake 5th and headed, pushed along after 2 out, kept on same pace from before last and denied 2nd close home
soon detached in rear and pushed along at stages, never a factor, kept on same pace without threatening from 2 out
Voix Du Reve was a useful hurdler though not in the top bracket but looks a natural over fences. After an impressive debut at Galway, he made all to beat subsequent easy Grade 3 winner Hardline in a Punchestown Grade 2 though he made a couple of novicey mistakes. He wouldn't be certain to get away with them against the runner-up's stable companion MENGLI KHAN, who was a better hurdler and was very impressive on his chasing bow at Punchestown. His jumping was superb that day and though the runner-up has been well beaten subsequently the winner looks a high-class chasing prospect. Le Richebourg, another smart hurdler, has taken very well to fences and almost made it a hat-trick when just failing to hold off Delta Work in the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse. The remainder are all useful but look to be playing for places barring mishaps.
Le Richebourg (FR) 11-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, close 3rd on inner 2 out, soon pushed along in 2nd, ridden and improved to lead narrowly and briefly after last, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Delta Work (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, good jump to dispute at 4th, led next, asserted after 3 out, slight mistake last, not extended, won at Punchestown 2m gd in Nov beating Forge Meadow (11-5) by 10l, 9 ran.
Mind's Eye (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Towards rear on outer, not fluent at 2nd and again 5 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 11, dist behind Delta Work (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Dec.
Us And Them (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 1st, led from 3rd, disputed lead from 5th, led from 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Hardline (11-0) at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Voix Du Reve (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Made all, ran freely, mistake 3rd, 4 lengths lead halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along next and kept on well run-in, drew clear closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Hardline (11-4) by 7l, 5 ran.
Ellie Mac (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd on outer 3 out, 3rd 2 out, improved into 2nd approaching last, led after last, stayed on inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Nov beating Monatomic (11-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
