tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, 2nd after 2nd, not fluent next, slight mistake 4 out and not fluent 3 out, soon took closer order, pushed along when jumped left 2 out, ridden to challenge last, no impression and dropped to 3rd run-in, kept on one pace
held up in touch, not fluent 1st, soon 4th, 3rd 4 out, pushed along in close 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and disputed close 2nd and challenged, slight mistake last, went 2nd run-in but no impression on winner, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, slow 1st and next, soon 3rd, 4th 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
made all, 5 lengths lead halfway and went further clear 4 out, greatly reduced advantage after 3 out, pushed along and 1 length lead when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and pressed, asserted after last, stayed on well
held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and no impression in moderate 5th when fell 2 out
held up in touch in 5th, ridden and no impression in 6th when left 5th again and slightly hampered 2 out, no extra, never a factor
This may revolve around the fitness of Jason The Militant, one of the most dramatic improvers over timber at graded level last season. He gives weight away all round but a repeat of something close to his best of last term will see him in the mix. But SALDIER remains lightly raced over hurdles and is just given the nod with fitness on his side after his fine performance to land the Galway Hurdle under a big weight in late July. Darasso was consistent last season and returns to hurdling after a recent unplaced run in a handicap chase a few days ago but the remaining trio need to find improvement on the evidence to date.
Jason The Militant (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Led, joined 4th, led next, slight mistake 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened, 7th of 8, 32l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Darasso (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Slightly impeded early and pushed along, soon towards rear, 11th after 10th, mistake 7 out, mistake 3 out, no impression in 9th into straight, one pace, 8th of 18, 22 1/4l behind Assemble (11-3) at Listowel 3m hcp gd in Sep.
Felix Desjy (FR) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, jumped left throughout, 3rd at 2nd, not fluent at 3rd, slight mistake at 4th and soon 4th, dropped towards rear after 5th, progress at 7th, dropped to 6th 4 out, fell 3 out, at Thurles 2m 2f (1) Yielding in Mar.
Saldier (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Chased leaders and 4th from halfway, pushed along from 2 out and improved to challenge on outer before last, soon ridden to lead and kept on well closing stages, won at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul beating Milkwood (11-2) by 2l, 20 ran.
Thousand Tears (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) In rear, headway to 8th after 3 out, progress after 2 out, slight mistake in 5th at last, weakened, 8th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Rock On Seamie (10-7) at Navan 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Wonder Laish 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 14 1/4l behind Dysart Diamond (10-11) at Listowel 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
