chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 2 out, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge last, led run-in and kept on well
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th after 3 out, ridden in 5th and no extra entering straight, left 4th last, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5th, mistake 5 out, soon lost place, 8th 3 out, ridden and no extra before next, weakened and tailed off
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight, stayed on in 3rd approaching last, close when fell last
held up towards rear, headway into 6th 4 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, no extra in 5th before last, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, left 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
led, clear halfway, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden before last where challenged, headed run-in and no extra, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace straight
held up in last, ridden after 3 out, no impression in 8th before last, kept on one pace
The former champion SUBLIMITY had On The Way out behind when beating Newmill at Cork last month and could hardly have been expected to beat the likes of Hurricane Fly and Solwhit in the Irish Champion Hurdle here subsequently. He is still up to this grade, however, and can gain the 10th success of his long career. Won In The Dark, who beat a lower class field in this a year ago, has competed at a high level since though didn't particularly distinguish himself in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las earlier this month. Psycho is a quality chaser who would do his Cheltenham prospects no harm with a big run while Beau Michael has also been in winning form over fences and has the Jewson as his target. Catch Me needs further as does Ryanair Chase hope Made In Taipan but Stonemaster can give a good account despite his penalty.
Stonemaster (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, headed last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 9, 3l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) hvy.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, under pressure next, never able to challenge, 4th of 5, 19l behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m hdl (2) gs.
Beau Michael 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, ridden in 4th 3 out, 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Back Of The Pack (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Psycho (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Prominent, left 2nd at 7th, 3rd after 5 out, weakened before next, eased from 2 out, 8th of 9, 40l behind Follow The Plan (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Sublimity (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in last, mistake 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off, last of 5, well behind Hurricane Fly (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Jan.
Catch Me (GER) 3-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, led before 4 out, joined after 3 out, ridden before straight, dropped to 4th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, fell last, in a race won by Dooneys Gate (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 4f chs, 8 ran.
Made In Taipan (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led or disputed lead, strongly pressed from 2 out, headed early run-in and no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Naas 2m chs Grd 2 (1).
On The Way Out (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden after next, soon no impression, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Fiveforthree (11-3) at Punchestown 2m hdl hvy.
Saddlers Storm (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, 8th halfway, 7th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 12, 36l behind Curragh Grey (10-10) at Thurles 2m 6f chs in Jan.
