made all, pressed 5f out, joined over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong
chased leaders, 2nd after 6f, pressed leader 5f out, disputed over 3f out, ridden in 2nd 2 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, 4th 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd 1 1/2f out, kept on without troubling winner
chased leader, 3rd after 6f, ridden over 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
held up in 4th, rear 6f out, ridden and no impression over 3f out, kept on one pace
Joseph O'Brien won this last year and Ash Hill looks comfortably the best of those with experience though that isn't saying much. GENERAL COUNSEL is out of a winning hurdler who is a half-sister to a champion bumper so Willie Mullins' charge should be good enough to make a successful start. Hell On Earth also has bumper winners in his pedigree though he looks more of a staying type and should do better when tackling obstacles.
Ash Hill (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th 4f out, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Battleoverdoyen (12-0) at Punchestown 2m gd in Nov.
Hell On Earth (IRE) Germany gelding out of Ceol Tire.
The Blame Game (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Towards rear, progress on wide outer 5f out, ridden in 5th 3f out, soon no impression, 7th of 14, 25 1/2l behind Envoi Allen (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Dec.
The Rubinator (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, 6th approaching halfway, progress on inner 5f out, on terms approaching straight, soon headed and edged left, one pace, 6th of 9, 21 3/4l behind Yukon Lil (11-0) at Killarney 2m 1f Yielding in May.
Echoes Of Family (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 22, 18 3/4l behind Rhinestone (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Nov.
General Counsel (IRE) Shantou gelding out of Josephine Cullen.
Storm Flight (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, took closer under 5f out, 3rd over 2f out, lost place and weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Embittered (11-9) at Punchestown 2m gd in Dec.
