disputed lead early, tracked leader, slight mistake 4th, on terms after 3 out, soon led, pressed and joined 2 out, narrowly headed between last 2, rallied to lead again near finish
disputed lead early, soon led, slight mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th, not fluent 5 out, joined after 3 out, pushed along and soon headed, dropped to last straight and soon no extra, mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, a little keen, 2nd straight, challenged 2 out and slight mistake, gained narrow lead between last 2, one pace run-in and headed near finish
A shocking turnout for a Grade 3 hurdle with a very nice prize. Outlander was having his first start over timber and hadn't been seen since the 2013 Champion Bumper when making a very impressive start at Fairyhouse last month and could well prove to be one of the best staying novices of the season. He'll probably be the better fancied of the Willie Mullins pair though Measureofmydreams was equally as impressive on his hurdling bow at Wexford. The latter had earlier been beaten narrowly by MARTELLO TOWER in a Fairyhouse bumper earlier and it's Mags Mullins' charge, who has done brilliantly over timber and would probably have completed a four-timer but for falling at Navan, who may have too much pace for his rivals in this small field.
Martello Tower (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, still disputing and every chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Free Expression (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Measureofmydreams (IRE) 2-9fav (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, pushed along in 2nd from 2 out, not fluent and ridden at last, led after last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl in Nov beating I Knew Well (11-4) by 7l, 9 ran.
Outlander (IRE) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th after 2nd, went 2nd before straight, led 2 out, clear from before last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl in Nov beating Mike Mccann (11-12) by 11l, 14 ran.
