ran 4th, headway before 2 out and soon led, pushed along to assert approaching last where not fluent, ridden and kept on run-in
led early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, close up when bad mistake 2 out, pushed along and soon dropped towards rear, no extra and slow last
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 2 out and no impression in 3rd when mistake last, ridden and kept on one pace
prominent and led after 1st, bad mistake 2 out and soon headed, pushed along and no impression on winner approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in
in rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along approaching 2 out and some headway in 4th before last, kept on run-in
Hardline has had no answers in two Grade 1 events after facile victories in the autumn and this should be his level. ATHENEAN was pushed into Grade 1 company at Naas after landing a Cork maiden and though eventually well beaten behind Next Destination he ran well for a long way and will find this more to his liking. Another Barney won a point in May and was probably racing over a trip too short on his hurdling debut at Naas but drew right away in the closing stages. He'll do better over further in time but Riders Onthe Storm has been making steady progress and looked at home on heavy going at Navan.
Hardline (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Disputed lead early, soon led, headed before 5th, dropped to 5th from 3 out, soon no impression, left 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Whiskey Sour (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Another Barney (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, pushed along and led 2 out, went clear approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Border Control (11-10) by 5 1/2l, 15 ran.
Athenean (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, mistake 2nd, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, last of 8, 36 1/4l behind Next Destination (11-10) at Naas 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th from 3rd, 3rd approaching 5th, closed up approaching straight, on terms 3 out, led before 2 out, soon went on, not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m hvy in Jan beating Spades Are Trumps (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Lone Wolf (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, soon 6th, effort from before straight, soon one pace, 5th of 12, 17l behind Carefully Selected (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4f sft in Dec.
