tracked leaders early, pulled hard, headway to lead after 3rd, hung badly left on bend before 4th when almost ran out and headed, soon dropped to 4th, went 2nd before halfway, disputed lead 6th, headed and ridden 2 out, soon weakened in 4th
led early, headed before 2nd, not fluent 2nd and soon dropped to 3rd, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd before halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, moderate 5th before last, no impression
led and disputed lead early, led from 4th and made rest, travelling well entering straight, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended
held up off pace in rear, pushed along 3 out, no impression, never a factor
held up off pace in rear, bad mistake 6th, soon ridden, moderate 4th entering straight, 3rd before last, kept on without threatening leaders
Hiaou won a course and distance maiden before falling when beaten in a Naas Grade 2. He wasn't at his best on his reappearance at Sligo last month when Tax For Max finished a long way in front of him in third. The latter also won a maiden here in May but FALCON EIGHT looks a bit better class. Dermot Weld's 2021 Chester Cup winner has been in fine form on the level and though possibly finding this on the short side the ground can see his stamina come into play. Dual bumper winner Weseekhimhere made a successful hurdling debut on good ground at Navan last September and could be anything but the remainder will need to show improvement.
Hiaou (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, 5th halfway, not fluent 3 out and soon reminders, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 6, 27l behind Supreme Jet (11-12) at Sligo 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Falcon Eight (IRE) 18-1 (10-4) A bit slow into stride and raced towards rear, 19th halfway, ridden and some progress from over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 20, 10 1/2l behind Drop The Anchor (8-7) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Fascinating Shadow (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up in last trio, never involved, 7th of 8, 30 1/2l behind Fennor Cross (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Tax For Max (GER) 5-6fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, pushed along after 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Supreme Jet (11-12) at Sligo 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
It'sallabouteve (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Waited with towards rear, slightly impeded 6th, under pressure and no extra in last from 3 out, soon pulled up, at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Rowdy Romeo (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Led, joined after 2f, headed after 3f and tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra over 4f out, weakened, last of 6, dist behind King Of Kingsfield (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 1f sft in Nov.
Weseekhimhere (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) In touch, travelled well in 6th after 3 out, improved to 3rd 2 out, pushed along to lead before last, driven out run-in, asserted closing stages, won at Navan 2m mdn gd in Sep beating Vultan (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 19 ran.
