held up in touch, a little keen, soon raced in 4th, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon dropped to last and no extra
soon led, joined 4th, headed next and tracked leader after, dropped to 4th from 2 out, impeded at last where left 3rd, kept on
raced in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, 2nd before 2 out, led between last 2, strongly pressed and joined last where left in lead again, stayed on well to assert run-in
prominent, mistake 3rd, on terms next, led 5th, slight mistake 3 out, headed between last 2, soon dropped to 3rd, left 2nd at last, one pace
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, no impression from next, impeded at last where left 4th, one pace
towards rear, progress and wandered slightly before 2 out where 3rd, soon challenged, on terms and every chance when fell last
Willie Mullins has won five of the last seven including the last three. The champion trainer relies on the very progressive Turcagua, an easy winner at Punchestown, and the mare Augusta Kate, a dual Listed bumper winner who sauntered home on her hurdling debut at Thurles and could be anything. Bel Ami De Sivola is progressing at a rate of knots and had the in-form Teacher's Pet in second when scoring at Fairyhouse on his first start over this trip. However, that was a novices' hurdle and this is a huge step-up in class. Stand Up And Fight couldn't match strides with DEATH DUTY in the Grade 3 Monksfield at Navan but that was only his third run and he looked as though the experience will have done him good. However, the winner continues to impress with his accurate jumping and easily saw off the front-running Monalee in a Grade 2 at Navan so this step-up to the highest level shouldn't pose a problem. Stable companion Blood Crazed Tiger continues to make excellent progress and isn't making up the numbers, especially if the ground turns testing as that will bring his stamina into play.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 9-4fav (11-10) Soon led, went on before 2 out, soon pushed along, kept on well run-in but reducing lead at the finish, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Yielding in Dec beating Teacher's Pet (11-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Blood Crazed Tiger (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage halfway, headed before straight, ridden 3 out, regained narrow lead 2 out and slight mistake, slight mistake last, kept on best run-in, won at Cork 3m lst (1) gd in Nov beating Screaming Rose (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Death Duty (IRE) 6-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, slight mistake 8th, on terms 3 out, led after 2 out, asserted from last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Monalee (11-3) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Turcagua (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Soon led, mistake 8th, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Champagne Classic (11-12) by 9 1/2l, 20 ran.
Stand Up And Fight (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, progress into 3rd 3 out, soon pushed along, 3rd when badly hampered and left 2nd next, soon ridden, 3rd approaching last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Death Duty (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Augusta Kate 2-9fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th at 3rd, 3rd 3 out, on terms approaching straight travelling smoothly, led after 2 out, quickly asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn Yielding in Nov beating Ask Susan (10-12) by 3l, 16 ran.
