soon led, took keen hold, not fluent at 8th, ridden and headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd at last, 4th and no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression on leaders after 2 out, 4th and mistake at last, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on one pace
in rear, slight mistake 6th, ridden in moderate 5th after 3 out, no impression
mid-division, under pressure 3rd, ridden at halfway, weakened 4 out
rear of mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 4th, not fluent 9th, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, regained 2nd at last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
in rear, slight mistake 4th, mistake 7th and under pressure, trailing when pulled up after 8th
tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, dropped to rear of mid-division and pushed along at halfway, ridden in moderate 6th 3 out, no impression
KLASSICAL DREAM, already a five-times Grade 1 winner, is impossible to oppose after his brilliant performance in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown where he beat last year's Stayers' Hurdle winner Flooring Porter. Mr Adjudicator, who was having his first start since winning a Premier handicap at Galway in 2019, was well beaten and Commander Of Fleet jumped poorly and pulled up. Very testing ground could be a problem for the winner so connections won't want more rain but he should take this on his way to Cheltenham. Royal Kahala is a potential top stayer who will be receiving 11lb and though she's yet to race beyond 2m4f she gives every indication of being even better over this trip after getting up close home in a 2m4f Grade 3 at Leopardstown. Gentlemansgame, twice runner-up in Grade 1's, will have needed the run in a Leopardstown handicap last month and should do much better.
Klassical Dream (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Led and clear, reduced advantage at 2nd, not fluent at 4th, increased lead before 8th, reduced lead 3 out, travelled well before last, driven out, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec beating Flooring Porter (11-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Ashdale Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mistake 1st, waited with, in touch towards rear, not fluent 4 out and under pressure in last and no impression, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Fury Road (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Any Second Now (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In rear, no impression from 3 out, some late headway, never a factor, 9th of 21, 6 1/4l behind Futurum Regem (9-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.
Commander Of Fleet (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Raced 3rd behind clear leader, not fluent at 5th, mistake in moderate 3rd at 6th, lost place before 3 out, ridden in rear after 3 out, weakened and detached 2 out, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Gentlemansgame 9-1 (11-10) Chased leader, progress at 2nd, 3rd before 6th, lost place and ridden before last, weakened run-in, 10th of 27, 14 3/4l behind Panda Boy (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp sft in Dec.
Home By The Lee (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders early, dropped off leaders 5th, towards rear and pushed along after 6th, ridden in rear 4 out, stayed on into moderate 4th before last, kept on run-in to go 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 8, 20l behind Darver Star (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 3f hvy in Dec.
Mr Adjudicator 80-1 (11-12) In rear, moderate 8th at 6th, progress after 3 out, under pressure and weakened after 2 out, 6th of 11, dist behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Royal Kahala (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Prominent, slightly slow 4 out, effort in 2nd approaching last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Heaven Help Us (11-1) by nk, 9 ran.
Court Maid (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd early, 3rd at 6th, dropped to last 4 out and ridden, moderate 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 35l behind Mount Ida (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Jan.
