made all, ridden and flashed tail run-in, kept on well closing stages
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders in 3rd, progress into 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in without reaching winner
held up in 4th, no impression before 3 out, weakened and tailed off
held up in last, no impression before 3 out, weakened and tailed off
It's a surprise to see Willie Mullins dually represented here but both Abbyssial and NOBLE INN are entered in a Grade 1 next month and may need a prep race. The former made all for an impressive victory at Fairyhouse and the third, who was beaten 20 lengths, won next time so the form looks strong and he is Ruby Walsh's pick. Mullins other representative has twice finished behind stable companion Analifet, who is the current Triumph Hurdle favourite. It should be a fascinating race between the pair with the latter just favoured. Arzembouy Premier won a couple of minor races in the Provinces and Gordon Elliott started him out in a Leopardstown Grade 2 but he was beaten a distance. Our Manekineko scored twice at Dundalk last month but couldn't have found a much stronger race to make his hurdling debut and Down Time looks outclassed.
Abbyssial (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Made all, not fluent 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo mdn hdl in Dec beating Powder Hound (11-0) by 8l, 16 ran.
Arzembouy Premier (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leader, left 3rd after 3rd, not fluent 4 out, ridden and no extra in 4th approaching 2 out, tailed off,, 4th of 5, well behind Guitar Pete (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Noble Inn (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Settled towards rear, not fluent 5th and 3 out, progress early straight and ridden in moderate 2nd after 2 out, no impression on easy winner, kept on, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Analifet (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 3yo hdl Grd 3 (1) in Dec.
Down Time (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, a bit slow 2nd, no impression from 5 out, 9th and no extra from next, 8th of 11, well behind Clarcam (10-12) at Thurles 2m 3yo mdn hdl gd in Oct.
Our Manekineko 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 18l behind Deep Speed (9-0) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol (flat).
