tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, not fluent 8th, jumped right 4 out and 3 out, mistake 2 out, no impression straight and moderate 4th last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 2 out, soon no extra, eased run-in
in rear, slight mistake 1st, ridden in 6th entering straight, 5th before last, no impression run-in
led, joined entering straight, ridden and headed last, tight for room on rail run-in, kept on under pressure, not match winner
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, challenged entering straight, ridden to lead last, under pressure and kept on run-in
towards rear, 7th halfway, no impression approaching straight, moderate 6th last, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 6th 2 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace straight
mid-division, 6th halfway, 4th 2 out, no impression in 3rd approaching last, no extra run-in
Monksland won this in 2012 but hasn't been seen subsequently. But he's still only seven and if anywhere near his best would prove a threat to all. ZAIDPOUR returned a year ago and comfortably saw off the challenge of Rule The World after finishing second to Monksland in 2012. He's remained in top form and, providing he's none the worse for his recent fall, can take this for the second time. Lieutenant Colonel came from a long way back to beat Jetson over 2m4f at Fairyhouse, when the selection fell, and looks certain to be suited by this longer trip. At Fishers Cross was beaten by Jetson in the World Series Hurdle at Punchestown in May but remains a high-class stayer and should go well under A P McCoy. Dual Grade 1 winner Briar Hill returns after a break following his fall in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham for which he started favourite following a six-race unbeaten run.
At Fishers Cross (IRE) 4-7fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before last, one pace, last of 3, 11l behind Cole Harden (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov.
Briar Hill (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Held up in touch, fell 7th, in a race won by Very Wood (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
Dedigout (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased clear leader in rear, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 4 out and closer next, under pressure and no impression entering straight, no extra, last of 5, 22l behind Jezki (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) in Dec '13.
Jetson (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in last, hampered and left moderate moderate 3rd at 5th, closer 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, disputed lead briefly and strongly pressed winner before last, headed at last and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) in Nov.
Lieutenant Colonel 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th when left moderate 2nd at 5th, progress entering straight, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, joined briefly before last, led at last and stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) in Nov beating Jetson (11-10) by 4l, 5 ran.
Monksland (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Towards rear, 7th halfway, ridden 2 out and headway to go 3rd approaching last, led run-in and kept on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec '12 beating Zaidpour (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Zaidpour (FR) 11-8fav (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, fell 5th, in a race won by Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) in Nov, 5 ran.
Glens Melody (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) 7th of 14, 7l behind Thousand Stars (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f nov hdl G2 sft in May.
