mid-division, 8th 5 out, ridden from 3 out, weakened
rear of mid-division on inner, closer 6th 3 out, went 4th next, ridden and went 2nd before last, kept on under pressure run-in
always towards rear, dropped to last and ridden 5 out, no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders, headway to lead before 2 out, ridden entering straight, headed before last, 3rd at last, no extra run-in
rear of mid-division, good headway into 3rd on inner 3 out, went 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden from 3 out, dropped to 4th entering straight, no extra
mid-division early, improved into 4th at 8th, ridden from 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold and held up in last, headway from 3 out, ridden in 5th next, kept on same pace straight
mid-division, ridden in 7th before 2 out, moderate 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
prominent, mistake 2nd, 2nd 5 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
Another instalment of the HURRICANE FLY/Jezki saga and with both making their debuts over this trip it's even more intriguing than usual. Willie Mullins' great champion finished in front of his rival in the Champion Hurdle, as he had done three times previously this season. However, Jessica Harrington's star holds verdicts over him from last year's championship events at Cheltenham and here and bounced back over 2m4f at Aintree, though it's by no means certain he would have beaten Arctic Fire if that one hadn't fallen at the last. Ruby Walsh's mount has also won over that trip and, though confined to two miles since 2010, he wouldn't be coming here unless connections believed he would stay so he's handed the vote. Dedigout was beaten a long way behind Jezki in 2013 but he's improved since and he stays the trip so if the ground turns testing could give the principals something to think about. Lieutenant Colonel twice beat Jetson in Grade 1 events before finding the ground too quick in the World Hurdle and he's another who would greatly benefit if the rain arrives.
Captainofthefleet (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up on outer, slight mistake 5th, progress into 3rd 5 out, challenged 3 out, narrow lead 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Cork 3m hcp hdl hvy in Mar beating Your Busy (10-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, headway before 3 out, effort after 2 out, pressing for 2nd before last, stayed on flat, not pace of front pair, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
I Shot The Sheriff (IRE) 4-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ran freely, progress to lead 4 out, travelled well and asserted before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 sft beating Ttebbob (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
Jetson (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, lost place from 8 out, soon in rear, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Whisper (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gd, 9 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, a close 2nd and challenging when left in lead and clear last, eased towards finish, won at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gs beating Rock On Ruby (11-7) by 13l, 6 ran.
Lieutenant Colonel 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, driven before 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened before last, 10th of 16, 29l behind Cole Harden (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Lots Of Memories (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 10th halfway, pushed along before 6 out, dropped towards rear and mistake 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Thunder And Roses (10-6) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs sft, 28 ran.
Thousand Stars (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, progress to lead after 6th, pressed 2 out and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Dedigout (11-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft.
Ttebbob (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) In rear, progress entering straight, switched left and 6th 2 out, went 2nd run-in, kept on one pace but no impression on winner, 2nd of 18, 3 1/2l behind I Shot The Sheriff (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 sft.
Zabana (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led, driven 2 out, soon hard pressed, ridden last, headed narrowly final 110 yards, kept on, just held, 2nd of 25, nk behind Aux Ptits Soins (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Zaidpour (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, 2nd 4 out, pushed along and lost place early straight, no impression in 7th and not fluent last, no extra, 7th of 9, 9l behind Dedigout (11-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft.
Dedigout (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Towards rear, 7th halfway, progress after 3 out and 3rd next, led approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft beating Thousand Stars (11-8) by 3l, 9 ran.
