tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 2nd, took closer order at 5th, 3rd at 6th, improved to 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, ridden and dropped to 3rd closing stages
made all, jumped big at 1st, soon clear, reduced advantage at 5th, slow jump 3 out, travelled well and asserted before last where jumped big, kept on well, comfortably
rear, 5th at 5th, progress to 4th at 6th, dropped to rear 3 out where slight mistake, weakened and detached 2 out
tracked leader, not fluent at 1st, 3rd to clear leader at 2nd, took closer order at 5th, progress to 2nd at 6th, not fluent 4 out, 3rd 3 out, dropped to 4th before 2 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out
towards rear, 4th at 5th, 5th at 6th, soon niggled along, headway to 3rd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, ridden and kept on to 2nd closing stages
Eglantine Du Seuil and STORMY IRELAND form a powerful team for Willie Mullins. The former, the Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner at Cheltenham then placed in Grade 1's at Fairyhouse and here, has to concede 6lb to her rival, who won this easily last year and has Paul Townend on board so it's the latter who just gets the nod at this stage of the campaign. Black Tears is receiving plenty of weight from the Mullins' pair and was only beaten 2l off levels in at Cheltenham event so must have a fair chance of reversing the form though she didn't quite build on that subsequently. Awayinthewest was beaten a long way at Cheltenham and is well held as is Barra, who has been chasing without much luck.
Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, ridden from 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Reserve Tank (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Stormy Ireland (FR) (9-13) 6th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Mr Adjudicator (10-5) at Auteuil 2m 3f gd in Jun.
Awayinthewest (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Waited with, 7th from 7th, progress and moderate 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Listen Dear (11-0) at Limerick 2m 6f lst (1) hvy in Oct.
Barra (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Waited with, 13th after 3rd, 16th from 10th, no extra under pressure from 4 out, fell 2 out, at Listowel 3m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Black Tears 5-2 (10-10) Waited with, raced on outer and towards rear, pushed along after 9th, soon no impression, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 6f lst (1) hvy in Oct.
