tracked leader, pushed along from 3 out, soon on terms, headed straight and switched right before 2 out, no impression when left 2nd and kept on same pace from last
held up, closed up travelling smoothly approaching 3 out, soon disputed lead, headed straight, no impression in 2nd when fell last
held up, detached approaching 3 out, no impression and not fluent next, fell last
a little keen, led, pecked slightly 6th, pushed along from 3 out, soon joined, led again straight, stayed on well from before last, eased close home
tracked leaders, dropped to 4th before 3 out, soon pushed along, no impression when left 3rd and kept on same pace from last
Didero Vallis had no problems seeing off Great Trango at Downpatrick in August but hasn't made the expected progress in his subsequent starts. The runner-up has managed to lose his maiden tag and will be 5lb better off so there shouldn't be much between the pair. MOUNT HANOVER won a Fairyhouse maiden then ran in a tough handicap over Christmas at Leopardstown. He was in the firing-line for much of that 3m contest before fading from the last and he ran much better than Didero Vallis so he's handed the vote. Hey Little Boy made a successful debut for Willie Mullins at Tramore but has been well beaten in both subsequent starts while Tourboy has also run poorly since landing a 3m Punchestown maiden on good ground.
Didero Vallis (FR) 7-1jfav (10-1) Mid-division early, moderate 10th after 4th, kept on same pace from final hurdle, 15th of 29, dist behind Mine Now (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Tourboy (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, jumped right 2nd, 7th from 4th, no extra and eased from 3 out, 9th of 15, dist behind Diamond Cauchois (10-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Hey Little Boy (GER) 10-1 (11-6) Towards rear, slight mistake 6th, some progress after 3 out, 8th when badly hampered 2 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Midnight Stroll (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Mount Hanover 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, slight mistake 7th, mistake final hurdle, lost place and no extra into straight, 12th of 29, dist behind Mine Now (11-0) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Great Trango (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 6th from 3rd, 5th before 6th, effort before 2 out, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Riders Onthe Storm (11-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Jan.
