settled 3rd, ridden and no impression entering straight, left moderate 2nd last
tracked leader in 2nd, travelled best before last, 1 length down when fell last
made all, ridden before last, 1 length up when left clear last, eased home run-in
Since arriving from France four years ago and landing a Grade 1 novices' event at Fairyhouse, HURRICANE FLY has only raced at the very highest level, winning 11 and being beaten into third twice. He lost his Champion Hurdle crown in March but Willie Mullins will plot a path aimed at regain the title starting here. With her allowances, Unaccompanied is always a dangerous opponent and her victory over Thousand Stars in the Istabraq Hurdle at Leopardstown was a first-class performance. She was well behind the selection in the Irish Champion Hurdle a month later but the heavy ground was against her and she should be forgiven that effort. Go Native finished runner-up to Hurricane Fly a couple of times earlier in his career before injury took a toll when looking all set for a brilliant career. He's been in fine form on the Flat again recently and has the ability to return to the top again over hurdles so looks the main threat as high-class chaser Captain Cee Bee isn't quite up to this level over timber these days, though he did win a Grade 2 at Tipperary easily last time.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on strongly from last to pull clear, easily, won at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Oct beating Rebel Fitz (11-7) by 11l, 9 ran.
Go Native (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in rear on inside, jumped right 1st, blundered next, headway to go 5th after 2 out, soon weakened, eased flat, 10th of 12, 25l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar '10.
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 4-11fav (11-12) Settled in 4th, closer in 3rd from 3 out, ridden to challenge and led before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) hvy in Apr beating Zaidpour (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Unaccompanied (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Held up in 4th, in touch approaching 2 out, no extra entering straight and soon weakened, 4th of 5, 39l behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Jan.
