chased leader in 2nd, close up entering straight, challenged and mistake 3 out, soon pushed along in 2nd, ridden to challenge again last, disputed run-in and led at line
settled 3rd, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra
led, challenged 3 out, soon travelled well in lead, challenged again last, ridden run-in and disputed, 2nd at line
Willie Mullins has won three of the last four renewals and has entered Midnight Game and Pickapocketortwo though the latter was engaged at Punchestown yesterday. Midnight Game has done most things right and won a Listed contest at Thurles last month. He's sure to go well though his overall form falls just short of that shown by both Cause Of Causes and HISAABAAT. The former won the hugely competitive Ladbroke at Ascot after an excellent run in a Cheltenham Grade 3 so will be difficult to beat though it's Dermot Weld's charge who just gets the nod despite a poor run behind Jezki at Naas as his juvenile form, when successful in two Grade 1s and runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle, showed him to be an outstanding prospect.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 25-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, still only 7th and plenty to do 2 out, stayed on to 3rd before last, strong run to lead flat, eased near finish, won at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec beating Petit Robin (11-5) by 4l, 21 ran.
Hisaabaat (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along and no threat from early straight, 4th of 8, 34l behind Jezki (10-13) at Naas 2m hdl Grade 3 (1) in Nov.
Midnight Game 4-7fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m Lstd hdl (1) hvy in Dec beating Joxer (11-2) by 1l, 4 ran.
Pickapocketortwo (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Chased leaders, fell 6th, in a race won by Archie Meade (11-10) at Sligo 2m 4f hdl gd in May, 9 ran.
