Paul Nicholls won this with Neptune Collonges in 2009 and runs Pride Of Dulcote this time. A classy novice hurdler, he easily won his opening start over fences in October 2009 but sustained an injury and didn't return until beating Punchestowns in a four-runner race at Newbury last December. The Listener won this in 2008 and is no back number judged on a decent return in the Lexus here when Money Trix and JONCOL battled it out for the places behind Pandorama with Kempes still in touch when unshipping AP McCoy. Joncol won this last year where he just got the better of Cooldine. Paul Nolan looks to have brought the eight-year-old to concert pitch for a repeat performance and he can repel the UK trio and complete the double.
China Rock (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute 9th, led before 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, under pressure in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Down Royal 3m chs G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Cooldine (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Prominent, 2nd halfway, blundered 6 out, 4th 4 out, ridden and no extra in 7th entering straight, eased and pulled up before last, in a race won by Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Dec, 12 ran.
Joncol (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, pushed along in 4th after 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Dec.
Kempes (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, 9th 4 out, 8th and in touch when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Dec, 12 ran.
Let Yourself Go (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Settled in last early, 3rd before 5th, poor 3rd 5 out, ridden and kept on same pace entering straight, some late headway from before last, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f chs G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, led from 3rd, headed before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, last of 9, 28l behind Shinrock Paddy (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) in Jan.
Money Trix (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, mistake 10th, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, kept on under pressure closing stages without threatening winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Dec.
Pride of Dulcote (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Appeared to make all, in lead 13th, apparently joined 2 out, narrow lead as field came into view but pressed 150 yards out, stayed on gamely close home, won at Newbury 3m grad ch (2) gs in Dec beating Punchestowns (11-7) by hd, 4 ran.
The Listener (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Attempted to make all, slight mistake 4 out, strongly pressed after 2 out, headed under pressure when slow at last, no extra run-in and weakened, 5th of 12, 14l behind Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Dec.
Trafford Lad 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th 5 out, 3rd briefly next, no extra from 3 out, 6th of 9, 20l behind Follow The Plan (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
