chased leader to 5th, weakened rapidly before next
in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no extra when hit last 2
held up in rear, hit 5th, headway from 3 out, staying on one pace when hit last
always behind, hit 2nd
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, narrow lead 2 out, hard pressed last, hard driven and stayed on gamely flat
in touch until mistake and weakened 5th
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and beaten next
led at fast pace, headed 4th, weakened rapidly next, tailed off
chased leaders, led 4th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging under pressure, driven last, no extra flat
held up in mid-division, hampered 4th, weakened next
held up in rear, headway from 5th, one pace and no chance when hampered last
behind, hampered 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on between last 2, mistake last, switched left and chased winner flat, kept on but no impression
in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th and well beaten when fell last
always behind, hampered 4th
reluctant to line up, behind, never dangerous
soon driven along in rear, mistake 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
close up when fell 4th
In what could be a benefit for the Irish, Brave Inca is taken to lead home Macs Joy, Hardy Eustace, Al Eile and Asian Maze. It is a pity there is not a stronger home challenge here, with the likes of Briareus, Intersky Falcon and Arcalis just not looking good enough, but nevertheless we should be treated to a thrilling finish if last year is anything to go by. Twelve months ago it was Hardy Eustace that prevailed in a battle of heads over Harchibald and Brave Inca, but since then the latter has really got his act together. Colm Murphy's star has won three of his four starts this term, his only defeat coming when third to Solerina over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse. He had Macs Joy a length behind in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown next time, the third time in succession that he has finished in front of Jessica Harrington's charge, and should have his measure again here. Hardy Eustace bids to add his name to a select group of five horses that have won the Champion Hurdle three times, and in fact is looking for a fourth consecutive victory at the Festival, having won the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle in 2003. However, he too was behind Brave Inca in the Irish Champion Hurdle and has had a somewhat interrupted preparation, and despite his liking for the Cheltenham hill, he can be opposed. Al Eile was seventh here last year and deserves to line up again. John Queally's six-year-old showed his well being with a smooth success in testing conditions at Haydock where he had Faasel and Royal Shakespeare behind, and although he has seven lengths to find on last year's placings, a big run is anticipated, especially if there is any rain beforehand. Asian Maze finished second to Macs Joy on here return in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park, but on a line through the winner, she too has it to do with Brave Inca who fully deserves to be the one to beat this year.
Admiral (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led, hit 3 out, headed and weakened quickly approaching 2 out, 14th of 20, 27l behind Desert Air (10-9) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Al Eile (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 3rd, soon ridden, hit last and jumped left, led flat, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Mister McGoldrick (11-4) by a nk, 7 ran.
Arcalis 9-4 (11-12) Held up, headway when hit 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Al Eile (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Astonville (FR) (10-1) pulled up in race won by Wisborough (10-10) at Pau 2m 7f chs sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Brave Inca (IRE) 6-5fav (11-10) Close up and disputed lead, jumped well, slight advantage 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan beating Macs Joy (11-10) by 1l, 7 ran.
Briareus 14-1 (11-2) Made all, clear 2 out, ridden 3 out, clear after last, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Royal Shakespeare (11-10) by 14l, 9 ran.
Faasel (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and hampered next, one pace flat, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Al Eile (11-12) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Fiepes Shuffle (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Raced freely, led, quickened approaching 2 out, 3 lengths ahead and keeping on strongly when fell at the last in race won by Royal Shakespeare (11-4) at Sandown 2m lst hdl (1) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Hardy Eustace (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Settled 3rd, reminder 4th, led briefly 4 out, close 2nd next, ridden and weakened quickly 2 out, virtually pulled up straight, last of 7, 40l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Intersky Falcon 7-2 (11-7) Led, headed well before 2 out, 5th and blundered when beaten 2 out, last of 7, 38l behind Feathard Lady (11-0) at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Kawagino (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up last, ridden and headway 3 out, challenged and led 2 out, jumped left last, pushed clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft beating Lysander (10-11) by 7l, 8 ran.
Leo's Luckyman (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off from 3 out, last of 5, well behind Nous Voila (11-8) at Haydock 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Macs Joy (IRE) 2-5fav (11-11) Settled 3rd, improved to lead 3 out, clear after next, eased close home, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 sft in Feb beating Asian Maze (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Penzance 9-4fav (11-6) Held up in touch, driven 5th, headway 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 9, 40l behind Briareus (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked winner from 3rd, ridden 3 out, fading after last, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Briareus (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
The French Furze (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, headed 4 out, soon lost place, last approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure straight, 5th of 7, 14l behind Brave Inca (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Jan.
Turnium (FR) (10-10) pulled up in race won by Takarto (11-3) at Pau 2m 1f chs gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Asian Maze (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Led, headed and outpaced 3 out, last before next, ran on well from last, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Macs Joy (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m hdl Grd 2 sft in Feb.
