raced in 3rd, pushed along from 2 out, 2nd approaching last, soon challenged, kept on without matching winner run-in
led, almost joined from 5th, pushed along and went on from 2 out, reduced lead and pressed from before last, edged slightly left and stayed on best run-in
raced in 2nd, almost on terms from 5th, slight mistake 3 out and at next, soon pushed along, dropped to 3rd approaching last where slight mistake and no extra
in rear, no impression after 2 out, soon no extra
Hot Beat looks out of this but the remaining quartet have chances. Quartz Du Rheu couldn't cope with stable companion Surin in a Grade 3 at Naas but only faded from the last. He probably wouldn't want any more rain but conditions won't be a problem for Unexpected Depth though his two victories were over further. Anything Will Do will love the ground having won on testing going here last month though he's taking on better rivals here and TIGER VOICE (NAP) can complete a double. Only beaten a couple of lengths by Janidil at Tipperary in October, the winner has since gone on to complete a hat-trick in major handicaps and Henry De Bromhead's charge went one better in a huge field at Cork last month.
Quartz Du Rheu (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Disputed, slight mistake 1st, headed after 2nd and chased leader, 2nd halfway, close up and challenged 4 out, ridden before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, no extra run-in and kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 15 1/2l behind Surin (10-10) at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Anything Will Do (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead and ridden entering straight, led at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov beating Popong (11-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tiger Voice (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Prominent, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, left 2nd after 3rd, led 4th, one length lead when slight mistake 2 out, ridden to assert when not fluent last, kept on well, won at Cork 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Arthurian Fame (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 22 ran.
Hot Beat (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, dropped to rear halfway, pushed along and detached under 4f out, soon no extra and eased in straight, completely tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Pearl Warrior (8-4) at Listowel 1m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Unexpected Depth (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway into 2nd entering straight, improved to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, disputed lead at last, headed narrowly last strides, no extra, 2nd of 11, nk behind Without Limites (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
