in touch in rear, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, weakened straight
in touch towards rear, ridden in last 3 out, moderate 6th 2 out, improved into 3rd before last, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, led from 5th, not fluent next, pushed along when mistake and joined 2 out, ridden and headed entering straight, moderate 4th at last, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 3rd, ridden and dropped to 6th 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders disputing 4th, 3rd 3 out, disputed lead travelling well 2 out, led entering straight, ridden and stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders disputing 4th, 4th 3 out, pushed along in 5th next, soon ridden, went 2nd and no impression on winner before last, kept on in 2nd run-in
led, slight mistake 5th and headed, 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to moderate 5th entering straight, no impression
A very strong turnout for a non-pattern race. Gordon Elliott puts 5lb claimer Danny Gilligan up on Andy Dufresne who is better known as a chaser but won a Grade 2 over hurdles here in his novice days. Jack Kennedy is on board Ashdale Bob, runner-up in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown a year ago though absent since June. The latter was beaten a head by Thedevilscoachman in a Navan Grade 2 in February last year and Noel Meade's charge has been doing very well over fences. Grade 2 winning hurdler Aspire Tower should now be at peak fitness after two runs following a long break, the latest over fences, while Grand National runner-up Vanillier continues his preparation for Aintree. Jeff Kidder, a brilliant Grade 1 winning juvenile, has lost his way which leaves SIR GERHARD, last year's Ballymore winner at Cheltenham who reverts to hurdles after a couple of disappointing runs over fences and can get back on track.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Always rear, not fluent 7th, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra before last, weakened, last of 5, 37 1/4l behind Bob Olinger (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 9-4fav (10-6) 5th of 8, 13 1/2l behind La Cheneviere (10-2) at Auteuil 2m 5f sft in Jun.
Aspire Tower (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Soon led narrowly on outer, increased advantage after 3rd, reduced lead at 5th, not fluent at 6th and 8th, headed and dropped to 3rd before last where not fluent, one paced, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Il Etait Temps (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Nov.
Jeff Kidder (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inner, 9th entering straight, ridden 2 out, 8th at last, no impression, 7th of 19, 11 1/4l behind Common Practice (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Sir Gerhard (IRE) 15-8 (11-1) In touch, 3rd at 5th, took closer order after 4 out, travelled well into 2nd before 2 out where mistake and fell, at Naas 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Rear, not fluent at 4th, 15th at 9th where mistake, progress after 4 out, no impression in 6th 2 out, no extra, 7th of 20, 20l behind Coko Beach (11-10) at Navan 3m hcp (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Vanillier (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Disputed lead early, tracked leaders and 4th halfway, slight mistake 7th and lost place, no impression in rear before 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 6, 22 3/4l behind El Fabiolo (12-0) at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
