tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 3rd, dropped to 3rd 5 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out, dropped to remote 5th close home
held up in rear, moderate 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, went remote 4th close home
always towards rear, pushed along from 5th, reminders at 6th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th 4 out, improved into 2nd next, ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace in moderate 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, 2nd briefly 4 out, ridden in 3rd next, moderate 3rd from 2 out, kept on one paced
made all, travelled well throughout, extended advantage after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, impressive
The high-class Faugheen won this in 2013 for Willie Mullins and the trainer is represented by UP FOR REVIEW this time round. The latter made a winning start over timber with an impressive victory at Fairyhouse last month and may prove the one to beat. Unbeaten stablemate Nambour is not out of this either having also won at Fairyhouse on his hurdling debut while Gordon Elliott runs both Jetstream Jack and Cogryhill. The former makes most appeal of that pair on today's terms given Cogryhill finished behind Navan runner-up Moylisha Tim last month and the latter beat Ben Button at Cork earlier.
Moylisha Tim (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Led and disputed, clear of field briefly early, headed before 4th, challenged entering straight, disputed 3 out, soon ridden, led before 2 out, strongly pressed last, soon headed, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 6 1/2l behind Falcon Crest (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Ben Button (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Tracked leader, inclined to jump slightly left, pushed along to challenge on inner after 3 out, soon on terms, headed from 2 out, dropped to 3rd approaching last and no impression, 3rd of 5, 7 3/4l behind Roman Gold (11-7) at Thurles 2m 6f sft in Nov.
Cogryhill (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leader early, 3rd from before 3rd, slight mistake 5 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, slight mistake last, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Gangster (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Jetstream Jack (IRE) 9-10fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, soon 2nd, slight mistake 5th, challenged and on terms before 2 out, soon headed, under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Thomas Hobson (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Nambour (GER) 1-4fav (11-12) Soon disputed lead, led from 2nd, pushed along to assert from between last 2, stayed on well run-in, comfortably,, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Cahirconree (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 20 ran.
Up For Review (IRE) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders early, closer 2nd and not fluent at 3rd, led from next, joined from 7th, led 4 out, went clear travelling well from 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, impressive, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Nov beating Space Cadet (11-12) by 8l, 16 ran.
