led and disputed, narrowly headed after 2 out, ridden and no extra before last
close up and disputed at times, narrow lead after 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, kept on well run-in
held up in rear, progress into 3rd 2 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, under pressure in 2nd and pecked last, no extra in 3rd closing stages, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd before last, stayed on in 2nd run-in without reaching winner
settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in rear after 2 out, under pressure in 4th before last, kept on same pace
Fire Attack had dropped out of contention when falling at the last in a Grade 2 over 2m here last month when the hat-trick seeking Power Of Pause stayed on into third. The latter looks as though he may be better suited by today's trip though that remark also applies to THEDEVILSCOACHMAN. A winning bumper and maiden hurdler, he finished in front of Fire Attack in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown before a comfortable victory over slightly short of this trip at Navan. The latter's stable companion Uhtred looked a potential top-level performer when beating a field full of subsequent winners in a Listed bumper at Navan in December 2019 and could be anything while the USA-based French Light will have come on for his run at Clonmel, though was beaten a long way.
Power Of Pause (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Waited with, off pace in 6th from 3rd, pushed along from 3 out, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Dreal Deal (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, closed up behind leaders travelling well entering straight, 3rd 2 out, led and quickly clear on inner before last, kept on well, won at Navan 2m 2f hvy in Jan beating Visionarian (11-2) by 3l, 7 ran.
Fire Attack (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Waited with towards rear early, a little keen, closed up to chase clear leader from 2nd, some headway and slight mistake 3 out, slight mistake 2 out and pushed along, weakened in 5th and fell last, at Punchestown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
French Light (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, closer on outer 3 out, soon 5th, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden 2 out, soon headed, no impression in 2nd last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd at line, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Broomfields Jeremy (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 3f hvy in Jan.
Uhtred (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) 4th early, soon raced in 5th, closed up approaching straight, led over 2f out, quickly asserted, stayed on well, won at Navan 2m lst (1) sft in Dec beating Fantasio D'alene (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Confusionanddelay (IRE) 250-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression in 10th 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 18, 24 3/4l behind Kalkas (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
