led, increased advantage to 8 lengths after 4th, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in, dropped to 3rd closing stages
chased leader, dropped to rear after 4th, 8th 4 out, detached 3 out, soon eased
chased leader, progress to 2nd after 2nd, not fluent at 4th, dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression, kept on one pace
towards rear, 4th at 4th, no impression in 5th 2 out, 4th at last, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division, 5th 4 out, improved to 3rd 2 out, soon ridden in 2nd, led before last, driven out
soon tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd after 2nd, progress to 2nd 2 out, soon ridden in 3rd, no impression on leader, not fluent at last, kept on to 2nd closing stages
rear, 7th 4 out, detached 3 out, soon eased
in rear, 6th 4 out, no impression 2 out, kept on run-in to 4th, no threat
Last year's Galway Hurdle winner Clondaw Warrior has been operating at the highest level since that victory and was sent to Belmont for a Group 3 on the Flat last month. He'll be difficult to beat but Rashaan is in such good form and is half his age so he should also give a good account after victories at Clonmel and Down Royal. However, he finished behind IVAN GROZNY in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Punchestown and with Ruby Walsh choosing the latter over Clondaw Warrior his mount, who won the Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle here in October, looks the one to be on. Kitten Rock was once a highly-regarded young hurdler who hasn't really taken to fences so he's one to watch over the smaller obstacles.
Ivan Grozny (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear and took keen hold, ridden 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Wicklow Brave (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Rashaan (IRE) 8-13fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along briefly to close after 3 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden to dispute 2 out, led last, kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 4f gd in Jun beating Marinero (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Clondaw Warrior (IRE) 15-1 (8-3) 3w 1st turn, outrun, 10th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Red Cardinal (8-9) at Belmont Park 2m stks gd in Jun.
Moonday Sun (USA) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, good headway from 3 out, 4th entering straight, ridden to lead before last, stayed on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in May beating Bobabout (10-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
Plinth (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear, progress on outer after 4 out, ridden to go 3rd entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Swamp Fox (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp gd in May.
Kitten Rock (FR) 4-1jfav (11-10) Mid-division, close enough in 5th when fell 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Minella Foru (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Fell 8th, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, slight mistake 3rd and mistake 5th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Arctic Fire (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
