mid-division early, towards rear from 4th, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no extra next
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 5th and mistake next, weakened and pulled up before last
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden before 2 out, under pressure entering straight, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, progress into 6th 5 out and slight mistake, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th next, stayed on into 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
led, joined before 2 out where slight mistake, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 3 out, disputed before next, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on strongly from before last to go clear
mid-division best, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened and tailed off
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 6th, ridden and no impression before 3 out, mistake 2 out, moderate 4th before last, kept on one pace
rear, mistake 1st, ridden and no extra before 5 out, weakened and tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden in moderate 7th before 3 out, no impression in moderate 5th before last, kept on one pace
held up in mid-division, slight mistake 6th, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened
Willie Mullins saddles three here with Mark Walsh on board the J P McManus-owned BLUE SARI. Beaten less than a length by Envoi Allen in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2019, he won a maiden hurdle on his debut here and has been racing in very strong company subsequently and would probably have been placed in the Coral Cup but for falling at the last. Stable companion Marajman returns after a long break but impressed on his debut for the yard last February and race fitness is unlikely to be a problem. Decimation has improved with every run and only just failed to prevail when beaten a neck by Ashdale Bob in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 over this trip so has to be a major threat while Panda Boy, an easy debut winner over the track and trip, found 3m just beyond him in a tough Fairyhouse handicap.
Blast Of Koeman (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place before 5th, 8th after 6th, stayed on in 6th after 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, ran on run-in to 2nd closing stages, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Commander Of Fleet (11-2) at Thurles 3m Yielding in Mar.
Blue Sari (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, 8 lengths down and no impression when slithered on landing and fell last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Decimation (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent and left 2nd 3 out, soon pushed along to challenge, on terms next, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied under pressure run-in, just failed, 2nd of 8, nk behind Ashdale Bob (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Fastorslow (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Sep beating Road Senam (10-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Fighter Allen (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, headway after 4 out, 4th on inner when not fluent 2 out, soon no impression and no extra before last, 13th of 20, 20 1/2l behind Lady Breffni (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 8-13fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, went moderate 2nd from 4th, not fluent next and 6th, took closer order 5 out and on terms 3 out, soon led, pushed along approaching 2 out, asserted approaching last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hvy in Mar beating Champagne Sparkles (12-0) by 7 1/2l, 18 ran.
Marajman (FR) 8-13fav (11-4) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged briefly 3 out, pushed along in 2nd entering straight, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to challenge and slightly hampered 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn hvy in Feb beating Axiomatic (11-4) by 6l, 15 ran.
Panda Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 5 out and headway after next, 5th and not fluent 2 out, 4th on inner last, short of room run-in and hit rail close home, 7th of 20, 4 3/4l behind Lady Breffni (11-2) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Sky Marshal (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, moderate 9th entering straight, kept on without threatening, 6th of 18, 10 1/2l behind Gold Speed (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Winter Fog (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Held up rear of mid-division, moderate 9th after 3 out, progress travelling well approaching straight, 3rd approaching 2 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge last, led run-in and soon asserted, stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Apr beating Captain Kangaroo (12-0) by 3 3/4l, 15 ran.
Dragon's Pass (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) Settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 9th of 17, 15 3/4l behind She's Commanche (10-5) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Iberia (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Disputed lead early, improved to lead after 2nd, joined from 5th, not fluent 2 out and headed, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Behind The Wall (11-2) at Limerick 2m hvy in Mar.
