settled in 3rd, 2nd 5 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, asserted before last where slight mistake, ridden run-in, pressed closing stages and headed last stride
chased leader in close 2nd, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 4th and no extra 2 out, weakened
settled behind leaders in 4th, 3rd 2 out, ridden entering straight, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in to pressed leader closing stages, led last stride
led, challenged 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra before last, kept on same pace, dropped to 3rd run-in
held up in last, almost slipped up before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
Rick beat some decent opposition in a similar race to this at Thurles in November but couldn't cope when stepped up to Grade 2 company at Leopardstown last week. He should be more at home here while Big Game Hunter, though inconsistent, has produced a couple of classy performances, though he was reported to be lame after finishing last of three when odds-on at Limerick last week. Imperial Shabra would be better off in a handicap and it will be a major surprise if BLACKSTAIRMOUNTAIN is beaten. Willie Mullins' champion novice looked badly in need of the outing when last of five finishers behind Gimli's Rock in a Grade 2 at Down Royal on his reappearance and should take this before heading for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in two weeks time.
Blackstairmountain (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, left 3rd 5 out, soon 4th again, dropped to last before 3 out, pushed along and no impression entering straight, weakened (blowing hard post race), 5th of 6, 32l behind Gimli's Rock (11-2) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) in Nov.
Imperial Shabra (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Pressed leader in 2nd, disputed briefly halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, last of 6, well behind Oscars Well (11-10) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Rick (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway on outer to go 2nd 4 out, ridden approaching straight, soon no extra, 8th of 10, 18l behind Mourad (11-6) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Disputed 2nd, dropped to last and pushed along from 4th, detached and hard ridden 4 out, soon trailing (lame post race), last of 3, well behind Rory Anna (10-9) at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl in Dec.
Bella Mana Mou (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Led and disputed, headed approaching 6 out, remained prominent, challenged after 3 out, no extra when lost action and pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Ballytrim (10-3) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar, 8 ran.
