waited with off pace, closer order 5th, soon tracked leaders, slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along briefly, effort on outer into straight, no impression run-in, no extra and dropped to rear final 100yds
led and clear, reduced lead 5th, not fluent next and joined briefly, joined 3 out, soon narrowly headed and dropped to rear from last, kept on into 3rd without troubling front pair final 100yds
chased leader in 2nd, closer order 5th, on terms briefly next, on terms again 3 out, soon narrow leader travelling smoothly, joined at last, quickly regained lead and stayed on well to assert
waited with off pace, closer order 5th, soon tracked leaders, challenged straight and on terms last, soon headed and not match winner, kept on same pace
Hidden Cyclone has had a brilliant career winning 17 times from 47 starts including this race in 2016. He was well beaten in the race a year ago but had already raced three times and does better when fresh. He's better known as a chaser these days, a remark that also applies to DON'T TOUCH IT, who rarely runs over hurdles but who won over the bigger obstacles at Listowel last month. His last victory over timber came in the Champion Novice Hurdle here in 2016 and the race conditions are in his favour. Eight Till Late will enjoy the quick ground having won on the Flat at Leopardstown in July before just failing to hold on back over hurdles at Gowran earlier this month. Stooshie won a maiden hurdle on heavy going at Down Royal in December and was returning after a long break when a very good third under a big weight at Tipperary last weekend and is certain to have come on for the run.
Don't Touch It (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, dropped to rear before halfway, pushed along and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, weakened, last of 7, dist behind Woodland Opera (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led briefly early, headed before 1st, slight mistake 5th, lost place approaching 3 out where mistake, soon dropped towards rear and no extra, 7th of 8, dist behind Campeador (11-12) at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Eight Till Late (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, improved to lead 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind The King Of Brega (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Stooshie (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Waited with, 7th from 4th, closed on inner approaching straight, challenged and slight mistake 2 out, soon on terms, headed before last where mistake, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Fiesole (10-10) at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct.
