All bar Cavalry Master arrive in winning form though he beat a big field of maidens here in November. BEACON EDGE, placed in the championship bumper here last May, started odds-on for his hurdling debut here in October where he was left clear at the last though would have won anyway. He looks a smart prospect as does Cedarwood Road, a very easy winner at Leopardstown, and Front View, who beat what looked a strong field at Cork. Exit Poll beat a huge field of maidens at Fairyhouse while Gordon Elliott's unbeaten pair Fighter Allen, a recruit from France, and Grangeclare Native, a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, enter the 'could be anything' category.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, 3rd approaching halfway, closed up and on terms 3 out, slight mistake last where left clear and slightly impeded, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Yielding in Oct beating Mystery Stowaway (11-5) by 10l, 19 ran.
Cavalry Master (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Soon led, pressed 2 out, pushed along and headed last, ridden and no impression run-in, no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Peaches And Cream (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Exit Poll (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Raced in 3rd early, on terms after 3rd, soon led, joined 3 out and slight mistake, soon led again, pressed 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Yielding in Jan beating Jon Snow (11-10) by 2l, 25 ran.
Cedarwood Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching halfway, closed up travelling smoothly on inner from before straight, led over 1f out, quickly asserted and stayed on well, easily, won at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Jungle Junction (11-7) by 11l, 25 ran.
Front View (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 4 out, led before straight, pressed 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Uhtred (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 24 ran.
Fighter Allen (FR) (9-10) won at Le Lion D'angers 1m 4f stks gs in May beating Fourbi (9-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Grangeclare Native (IRE) 6-4 (11-9) Prominent, soon 2nd, closed up under 4f out, soon on terms, edged left 1 1/2f out, narrowly headed 1f out, rallied and kept on well to lead 50yds out, won at Punchestown 2m sft in Dec beating Jungle Junction (11-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
