led, disputed from 4th, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened from 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, stayed on in 3rd last, ran on well to lead run-in, kept on strongly close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear entering straight, no extra in 5th after 3 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, soon ridden to lead, challenged 2 out, headed before last, kept on in 3rd run-in, 2nd close home
chased leader in 2nd, disputed from 4th, led entering straight, ridden and challenged 3 out, soon headed, no extra in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, headway in 5th 3 out, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden to lead before last, headed run-in, no extra, lost 2nd close home
Aitmatov carries a Grade 2 penalty for beating Noble Prince over the C&D last November. He's well up to this class but appeared to have a hard race behind Hurricane Fly at Fairyhouse on Wednesday. In receipt of 9lb, SON AMIX looks the better option. Tom Cooper's charge produced his best effort to date when just touched off by Shinrock Paddy over today's trip at Naas in October, when the short-priced Rigour Back Bob was beaten a long way, and probably found two miles on the short side there next time. Stonemaster progressed very nicely last season which culminated in a good run behind Reve De Sivola in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He was earlier beaten by Rigour Back Bob at Thurles and there is little between the pair here.
Aitmatov (GER) 33-1 (11-10) Led, strongly pressed and headed after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 10th of 11, 36l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) sft.
Rigour Back Bob (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th after halfway, not fluent 4 out, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Askanna (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl in Nov.
Maggio (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway in 2nd 4 out, soon improved to lead, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed before 2 out, 3rd last, kept on, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Hidden Cyclone (11-1) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Stonemaster (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 6th 4 out, 3rd and driven along entering straight, 4th and no impression before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 9l behind Reve De Sivola (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Son Amix (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure without troubling winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Alaivan (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo lst hdl sft in Nov.
Alpine Glade (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Towards rear, last 3 out, ridden next, 6th last, kept on, 4th of 8, 11l behind Voler La Vedette (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f mrs lst hdl gd in Oct.
Clan Tara (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway to be close up from before 4 out, travelling best 3 out, led before 2 out, clear from before last where slightly slow, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs hvy in Dec '09 beating Prudent Honour (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mistakes 1st and 2nd, behind when fell 5th, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 40 ran.
