led, 3 lengths lead halfway, slow at 6th, ridden and headed approaching last where mistake, no extra
held up towards rear, 8th halfway, went 5th after 3 out and 4th approaching last, kept on well into 2nd run-in, nearest at finish
chased leader, 6th halfway, slight mistake in 5th 3 out, no impression in 6th approaching straight, kept on one pace run-in
chased leader, 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace in 4th on run-in
chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 7th halfway, pushed along and no extra in 8th after 2 out, weakened
chased leader, jumped left, 3rd halfway, 2nd 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, under pressure and no impression run-in, no extra closing stages
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to challenge in straight and led before last, pushed out and kept on well run-in
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 7th 3 out, pushed along and no extra approaching straight
always rear, never a factor, pecked slightly 1st, pushed along after 4 out and detached before 2 out, kept on one pace in straight
Balbir Du Mathan cost 300,000 euros after landing a Listed hurdle at Auteuil but so far has failed to reward connections. However, he's shown ability on testing ground and ran well enough behind Pont Alexandre at Punchestown to give him a chance here. Jumping problems have halted the progress of Blair Perrone but the longer trip and testing ground should play to his strengths while My Hometown has come up against two smart prospects in his defeats over fences. Tell Us More and Zabana are classy performers over timber who make their debuts over the bigger obstacles. It's difficult to separate them on their hurdles form and both should make cracking chasers but so also should BLAZER, who gets the vote by virtue of having had a run over fences where he was staying on very strongly over the minimum trip when a close third to stable companion Net D'Ecosse at Punchestown.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Soon chased leader in 2nd, challenged before 4 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Pont Alexandre (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 6f hvy in Dec.
Blair Perrone (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, closer 4 out, ridden 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 10 3/4l behind Douvan (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f sft in Nov.
Kayf Supreme 50-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, not fluent 1st, 7th after 4th, not fluent 9th, no impression from before straight, slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace,, 3rd of 18, 27l behind Bonny Kate (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Mr Diablo (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon led, joined briefly approaching 4 out, soon led again, joined approaching straight, headed before 2 out where 3rd and fell, at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Nov.
My Hometown (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Settled 3rd off pace, no impression leaders and driven after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 36l behind Sizing John (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Tell Us More (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge 2 out, lost place between last 2, beaten before last, 6th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Douvan (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Zabana (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden in 7th before 2 out, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 9 3/4l behind Jezki (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Annamatopoeia (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, left 2nd at 5th, close 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, dropped to 5th before last, no extra, 7th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Whiteout (10-8) at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr.
Blazer (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Held up, progress to chase leaders 7th, pushed along from 3 out, no impression straight in 3rd until stayed on well run-in, not quite get to front two, 3rd of 10, hd behind Net D'ecosse (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
