tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 2nd, pushed along from 4th, dropped to last 4 out, ridden and no impression from next
held up in last, not fluent at 3rd, went 3rd 4 out, moderate 3rd 3 out, pushed along in closer 3rd 2 out, no impression on winner at last, went 2nd close home
tracked leader in 2nd, close 2nd 4 out, disputed lead travelling well entering straight, led before 2 out, pushed along and clear before last, stayed on well under hands and heels run-in
led, pushed along and joined entering straight, ridden and headed before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, dropped to 3rd close home
Koshari arrived from France to make a winning start for Willie Mullins at Punchestown where he looked a very smart prospect in beating better fancied stable companion Bello Conti. He looks the type to make great strides this season though tackles much better company. SLOWMOTION beat the very useful Rashaan easily in a Fairyhouse Grade Two and wasn't at her best in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown. She comfortably holds Missy Tata on a line through Rashaan, who beat that rival easily a year ago, though there's no doubt Gordon Elliott's filly has improved dramatically. Swamp Fox scored twice on the Flat in July before reverting to hurdles and landing a lucrative Listowel handicap to complete a hat-trick. He's continued to run well on the level and if this turns into a speed test he'll take some beating.
Koshari (FR) 7-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, ran freely, not fluent 1st, 3rd halfway, travelled well to lead after 2 out, pressed and not fluent last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding in Apr beating Bello Conti (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Slowmotion (FR) 2-1 (10-11) Held up, 5th halfway, ridden 3 out, squeezed out 2 out, under pressure in 5th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Whiteout (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Missy Tata (FR) 1-6fav (10-13) Disputed early, led before 2nd, travelled well before 2 out, kept on well, not extended, won at Limerick 2m 2f Yielding in Oct beating Jaime Sommers (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 3 ran.
Swamp Fox (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Soon mid-division, ridden straight and kept on same pace from under 2f out, 11th of 23, 8 3/4l behind Golden Spear (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
