prominent, dropped to 4th before 5th, progress at 10th where left 2nd, dropped to 3rd and pushed along after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out , mistake and fell at last
led, one length clear at 10th where mistake and fell
held up in rear, slight mistake at 6th, left 4th at 10th, not fluent 3 out, headway in 3rd before 2 out, no impression on leaders after 2 out, bad mistake at last, no extra
in touch, took closer order in 2nd before 5th, 3rd at 9th where not fluent, 2nd after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led narrowly after 2 out, ridden run-in, headed closing stages
tracked leader, 3rd on outer after 7th, improved to 2nd at 9th, left in narrow lead at 10th, mistake 2 out and headed, ridden and kept on run-in to lead closing stages
Willie Mullins has won this six times in the past ten renewals. ASTERION FORLONGE beat Assemble 6 lengths in a point before winning a bumper then landed a Grade 1 over hurdles at Leopardstown. He jumped right throughout when only fourth in the Sky Bet Supreme at Cheltenham and did the same when making a winning start over fences at Punchestown. Assemble didn't quite hit the heights over hurdles but made a successful debut over fences at Fairyhouse then chased home Envoi Allen in the Grade 1 Drinmore on the same track. Janidil was in brilliant form over hurdles at the backend of last year with a victory in a Grade A handicap at Fairyhouse the highlight. He impressed on his chasing bow at Naas while Grade 1-winning hurdler Colreevy looked a future star over fences at Punchestown when winning by 15 lengths. Pencilfulloflead was beaten 10 lengths by the selection in a maiden hurdle at Naas in Junuary but has made great strides over fences and should get much closer.
Assemble 11-1 (11-12) Raced in 2nd, closed up 5 out, on terms approaching 2 out, soon pushed along and headed, no extra approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Envoi Allen (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Asterion Forlonge (FR) 4-11fav (12-0) Prominent and disputed lead, slight mistake 6 out, pecked badly 2 out, soon led and asserted approaching last where jumped right, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Conflated (12-0) by 6l, 18 ran.
Janidil (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Disputed lead, headed from 3rd, prominent, travelling smoothly approaching straight, on terms before 2 out, soon led and pushed along and went on, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 3f Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Longhouse Poet (12-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Pencilfulloflead (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leaders early, slow jump 1st, settled in mid-division, took closer order in 3rd from 10th, improved to challenge 3 out and led from next, pushed along before last and kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 7f (1) hvy in Nov beating Latest Exhibition (11-5) by 7l, 7 ran.
Colreevy (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Soon prominent in 2nd, on terms 10th, led before 3 out travelling smoothly, asserted from 2 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Nov beating Popong (11-9) by 15l, 11 ran.
