tracked leader, 3rd halfway and went 2nd after 4 out, pushed along entering straight and no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure but no chance with winner run-in
made all, asserted after 2 out and jumped left last, ridden and kept on well run-in
raced in 4th, ridden in 3rd before 3 out and soon no chance with first 2, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and dropped to 4th before 3 out, no chance with first 2 and kept on one pace under pressure in straight
Zaidpour beat Voler La Vedette in this a year ago when Chicago Grey was a long way back in third. Willie Mullins' charge has returned in fine form beating Monksland over 2m4f at Fairyhouse before just losing out to the runner-up over this trip at Leopardstown. He'll take some beating as ever but the concession of 4lb to BOG WARRIOR may prove beyond him. Tony Martin's charge, a Grade 1 winner over fences last season, has reverted to hurdling in outstanding form and comfortably beat Solwhit at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. He's never raced beyond 2m4f but is entered in the World Hurdle and looks likely to be even better over this trip. Un Beau Matin is a really smart prospect who probably would have won the Grade 2 Tara Hurdle at Navan but for falling two out and is definitely worth his place against the two principals though he has a bit to find at this stage.
Zaidpour (FR) 11-8fav (11-10) Settled in mid-division, 6th halfway, went 4th approaching 2 out and 2nd early straight, challenged last and led briefly early run-in, soon headed and no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Monksland (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec.
Bog Warrior (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leader, 2nd before halfway and led approaching 4 out, asserted early straight and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy in Dec beating Solwhit (11-4) by 7l, 6 ran.
Chicago Grey (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway and chasing leaders when blundered badly 4 out, recovered to chase leaders on inside approaching next, ridden before blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 25l behind Monbeg Dude (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Dante Anna (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, lost place from before next, no extra from before straight, 7th of 9, 17l behind Miss Xian (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Un Beau Matin (IRE) Evensfav (11-1) Waited with 4th of the 5, closer order 4 out, 3rd before next, challenged still going okay and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Owega Star (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
