pushed along at start, raced prominently, ridden entering straight, dropped to 7th 3 out, moderate 7th next, headway into 4th at last, kept on one pace
towards rear, good headway into 3rd 2 out, soon pushed along and disputed lead, ridden and led after last, stayed on well inside final furlong
led, joined entering straight, ridden and headed 3 out, dropped to 4th 2 out, weakened
prominent, improved to dispute lead entering straight, ridden after 3 out, headed after 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on one pace
held up in last, pushed along after 4 out, ridden in last 2 out, some modest late progress
rear of mid-division, improved to track leaders at 4th, 3rd at halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, 5th next, weakened
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 3 out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed after last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, dropped to rear of mid-division at 4th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along 3 out, under pressure in 6th when bad mistake 2 out, no impression
NonRunner
Charles Byrne can get one ready with the best of them so the lack of a run won't be a problem for Blazing Khal, whose four-timer includes two Grade 2 races at Cheltenham. He'll be back there next month for the Stayers Hurdle so could just need this to put the edge on him. Delta Work will also be heading for Cheltenham for the Cross Country Chase while Meet And Greet found 2m too short at Naas after an excellent third in the Christmas Hurdle over 3m at Leopardstown when last year's Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle winner Sire Du Berlais pulled up. SAINT SAM (NAP) was chasing last season and stepped up to 2m3f for the first time to score impressively from Any Second Now at Leopardstown. This is a better race but he's the youngest in the line-up and can score again.
Sire Du Berlais (FR) 22-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Blazing Khal (IRE) Evensfav (11-3) Towards rear, in touch, close 4th when mistake 2 out, pressed leaders going easily before last and soon led narrowly, pushed out and asserted run-in, readily, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec beating Gelino Bello (10-12) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
Highland Charge (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 1st, slight mistake in clear 2nd at 2nd, moderate 2nd at 3rd where slow jump, no impression on clear leader at 6th where slow jump, pulled up before 5 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Beacon Edge (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Close up on outer and disputed at times, close 3rd halfway, disputed again before 3 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no extra and mistake 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, dist behind Teahupoo (11-12) at Gowran Park 3m (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Delta Work (FR) 5-2fav (12-0) In touch, closed 3 out, slow and awkward 2 out, 3rd and held flat, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 4 3/4l behind Back On The Lash (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Grand Roi (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up, bad mistake 5th, mistake and behind from next, pulled up before 8th, at Leopardstown 2m 5f sft in Dec.
Meet And Greet (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outer, improved to 2nd after 4 out, led narrowly 3 out, headed after 3 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, not fluent last, one paced in moderate 4th closing stages, 4th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Echoes In Rain (10-10) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Saint Sam (FR) Evensfav (11-6) Made all, increased advantage before 1st, slight mistake at 5th, reduced advantage before 7th, increased lead after 2 out, clear last where not fluent, kept on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Any Second Now (11-6) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dreal Deal (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) In touch in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Berkshire Rocco (9-7) at Southwell 2m stks (2) pol in Jan.
