soon behind in rear, never a factor, completely tailed off
soon raced in poor 5th, jumped slightly right at times, kept on same pace from before 4 out
close up and soon clear of remainder, jumped well, on terms from 3rd, led after 5 out, asserted approaching last, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
soon raced in poor 3rd, remote 4th before 6th, kept on same pace from before 4 out, narrowly denied 3rd at line
soon raced in poor 4th, not always fluent jumping, remote 3rd before 6th, kept on same pace from before 4 out, narrowly held on to 3rd at line
led and clear of remainder with 2nd, joined from 3rd, headed after 5 out, under pressure 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
behind towards rear early, soon raced in poor 6th, kept on same pace from before 4 out
raced in poor 6th early, soon towards rear, no danger when slight mistake 4 out
Henry De Bromhead holds the key to this with IDENTITY THIEF and Attribution. The former makes his long awaited debut over fences having ended the last campaign just failing to concede Vroum Vroum Mag 7lb in the Champion Hurdle on this course. He's won first time back for the past two seasons so the lack of a run shouldn't be a problem. If he doesn't come up to scratch then his stable have a viable alternative in Attribution as he proved himself smart over timber before making a satisfactory debut over fences at Fairyhouse. Damut completed a four-timer in handicaps over hurdles before finding a step up in class too much for him and may prove best of the remainder.
Da Baba Elephant (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Mostly ld/disp on outer until wknd qckly aftr 4out, bhnd when pu bef 3out, at Ballyarthur 3m mdn sft in Mar.
Damut (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Mid-division early, chased leaders from 5th, 6th halfway, improved into 2nd 4 out, soon disputed, ridden and no extra before last where mistake, 18th of 25, 23 3/4l behind Anibale Fly (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Identity Thief (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent and headed 3rd, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight and no impression on winner before last, under pressure and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Mick The Jiver 14-1 (11-4) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, slight mistake 2 out, never a factor, last of 9, dist behind Beautiful Ben (11-4) at Tramore 2m gd in Oct.
Nine Stiches (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, 11th on outer halfway, some progress 3 out, pushed along and no extra after next, 10th of 15, 18 1/2l behind Cradle Mountain (10-9) at Tipperary 2m hcp sft in Oct.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led after 2nd, mistake 9th, mistake 4 out and disputed, headed next, soon ridden in 2nd, 3rd and under pressure when fell 2 out, at Tipperary 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in May.
Persian Wind (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Towards rear and 8th before 5 out, pushed along in 7th after 3 out, no impression in 5th from before last, 5th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Better Back Bob (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 2f Yielding in Oct.
Wee Tiger (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 5th at 4th, no impression in 6th approaching straight, fell 3 out, at Gowran Park 2m 2f Yielding in Oct.
Attribution 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd approaching 4 out, 2nd before straight, no impression from before 2 out, kept on without threatening winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Ordinary World (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m gd in Oct.
