led, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra and weakened before next
held up towards rear, ridden into 6th 3 out, no impression in 5th before next, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 3 out, weakened and tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 5 out, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace
chased leader, 3rd halfway, left 2nd 6th, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, under pressure in 5th 3 out, kept on in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace to 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway in close 4th 3 out, soon challenged, ridden and disputed approaching 2 out where slight mistake, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, lost 2nd run-in
held up in rear, headway into close 3rd entering straight, challenged after 3 out, led approaching 2 out, asserted before last, pushed out run-in, comfortably
chased leader, 2nd halfway, fell 6th
MIKAEL D'HAGUENET won three Grade 1's and a pair of Grade 2's over hurdles in 2008/9 and was expected to challenge for top honours over fences last season. However, he proved a real letdown, albeit at the very highest level, and connections will be hoping he gets back on track here. He's given the vote despite the presence of the high-class Voler La Vedette, who has won after a summer break in the three seasons she has been performing, almost all of it at the top level, and racing over her best trip on perfect ground. Karabak is a classy staying hurdler and won the Grade 2 Relkeel at Cheltenham last December though he's invariably needed his opening run of the season in recent years. Askanna improved greatly for the step-up to 3m at Punchestown in May and is one to look forward too later in the campaign.
Berties Dream (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Raced mainly in 2nd, on terms 4 out, led next, headed last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Pineau De Re (11-6) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Oct.
Karabak (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr, 11 ran.
The Hurl (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders early, 8th halfway, ridden in 6th 3 out, no extra in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 27l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov chs gd in May.
Rick (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 10, 5l behind Pineau De Re (11-6) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Oct.
Fully Funded (USA) 5-1 (11-10) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer entering straight, ridden to dispute at last, soon narrow advantage and kept on under pressure, headed final stride, 2nd of 6, ns behind Owega Star (10-9) at Naas 2m 4f hdl hvy in Oct.
Mikael D'haguenet (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Held up, closed into 4th approaching 3 out, no extra from next, 8th of 10, 40l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in May.
Voler La Vedette (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, closer in 6th from 4 out, ridden approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on without threatening, 4th of 10, 7l behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in May.
Askanna (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, good headway on inner to dispute approaching 3 out, led before next, ridden and kept on well in straight, won at Punchestown 3m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in May beating Mossey Joe (11-6) by 2l, 16 ran.
