soon towards rear, never a factor, fell 7th
led, joined before 3 out, regained lead from 2 out, strongly pressed run-in, headed and no extra closing stages, one pace
soon towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division best, never a factor
held up, impeded 2nd and 5th, no danger 6th, kept on same pace without threatening
mid-division early, headway but well off pace in 4th approaching 3 out, no impression when not fluent next, kept on same pace
mid-division best, never a factor, tailed off
soon raced in 2nd, on terms before 3 out, headed from next, every chance run-in until no extra in 3rd and one pace closing stages
chased leaders, soon 4th, no impression and one pace approaching 3 out
mid-division early, well off pace in 7th approaching 5th, mistake next and soon no danger
towards rear, no danger approaching 5th, kept on same pace without threatening
chased leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 5th, pushed along approaching 3 out, closed from before last where slight mistake, led and stayed on best closing stages to draw away
mid-division early, slight mistake 4th, well off pace in 5th approaching next, no extra and kept on same pace from 7th
mid-division, well off pace in 7th approaching 5th where fell
soon raced in 3rd, fell 2nd
towards rear for most, never a factor
Balbir Du Mathan, a dual winner over hurdles including a handicap at Navan in November, has disappointed over fences so far having had eleven starts without winning. Kaiser Black is bred to be a staying chaser so the fact that he was able to win a maiden hurdle by 14l suggests he could be above average. LE MARTALIN hasn't always been foot-perfect but jumped better when attempting to make most over 2m1f at Leopardstown where he was only headed at the last and passed by two smart winners. He can take this though Pylonthepressure and Turcagua give Willie Mullins a strong hand. The former had excellent form over hurdles in 2016 and was returning from over a year off when making his chasing debut at Fairyhouse last month while the latter, runner-up in a Naas Grade 1 over timber a year ago, made a promising debut over the bigger obstacles at Navan where he couldn't cope with Bonbon Au Miel but had the remainder well strung out.
A Plein Temps (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th at 5th, remote 5th before 8th, mistake 9th, pulled up after 4out, at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 7-4fav (11-3) Soon led, not fluent 2nd, again not fluent 3 out, travelling best and went on before 2 out where not fluent, pushed along before last where slow jump, ridden and tired run-in, headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Surf Instructor (11-3) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Bold Frost (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inner, lost place after 4 out, soon no extra, weakened, 14th of 20, dist behind Scarpeta (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Fit To Be Tied (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, no danger from before 8th, 6th of 10, dist behind Bonbon Au Miel (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Hidden Charmer (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, not fluent 3rd, last from 6th, bad mistake 10th, moderate 9th approaching straight and no extra, 9th of 10, dist behind Livelovelaugh (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Kaiser Black (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge travelling well 3 out, led before next, clear before last, not extended, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn hvy in Mar beating Macs Legend (11-12) by 14l, 5 ran.
Lagenod (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 6th after 6th, headway 4 out, no impression in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 9l behind The Ballyboys (10-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp hvy in Dec.
Le Martalin (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Led, pressed when left clear 3rd, soon reduced lead and pushed along into straight, headed over 1f out, soon no impression and one pace, dropped to 3rd near line, 3rd of 6, 6 3/4l behind Tycoon Prince (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.
Mighty Stowaway (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division early, moderate 11th after 4th, soon headway, kept on same pace from before straight, 9th of 29, 27 1/4l behind Mine Now (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Oathkeeper (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, slight mistake 2nd, 9th from 6th, pushed along from 10th, moderate 6th approaching straight and no impression, 6th of 10, dist behind Livelovelaugh (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Phil The Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, jumped right at times, 6th at 5th, slight mistake 6th, well off pace before 8th, no danger from before 4 out, 5th of 10, dist behind Bonbon Au Miel (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Pylonthepressure (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, dropped to 3rd at 8th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th at last, no impression, 4th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Sutton Place (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Jan.
Soul Kaliber (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led and disputed, ridden along on bend before 3rd, ridden before 2 out, close 2nd and every chance when bumped and unseated rider 2 out, at Tramore 2m hvy in Jan.
Timmie Roe (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, progress into 4th and ridden entering straight, 3rd 2 out, beaten in 3rd when bad mistake at last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Maeve's Choice (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.
Turcagua (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 10th, headed before 3 out, soon switched left, pushed along from 2 out, no impression and one pace between last 2, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Bonbon Au Miel (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Two In One (USA) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, 7th after 6th, pushed along in last at 8th, one pace 3 out, 6th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Sir Carno (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Hugo 'n Taz 50-1 (11-12) Held up, not always fluent jumping, last from 4th, pulled up before 3 out, at Gowran Park 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Sep.
