tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 3rd and 2 out, ridden and no impression leader before last, kept on well run-in, not reach winner
made all, driven and asserted before last where not fluent, reduced advantage run-in, kept on best, ridden out
ran 5th, no impression and driven after 3 out, no extra after 2 out, never a factor
held up 4th, not fluent 4th and 3 out, no impression and driven after 2 out, no extra
raced 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, closer in 3rd 2 out, driven and no impression leader before last, ran on without threatening run-in
Hurricane Fly won the last three of these and FAUGHEEN is taking over his mantle. Brilliant is hardly enough to describe his form having landed 10 races in succession, five of those at Grade 1 level, and it will be a huge shock if anything can get the champion hurdler off the bridle. His stable companion Nichols Canyon has equally impressive form having ended the last campaign with four Grade 1 victories from his last six starts. His defeat by Windsor Park at Cheltenham was a surprise and he put that right with victories here and at Aintree, though both were over 2m4f. The remainder look as though they are playing for a place including another from the Mullins camp in Wicklow Brave, who has been in excellent form on the Flat with a close second in the Ebor and placed efforts in Group company at The Curragh and Ascot.
Faugheen (IRE) 1-6fav (11-12) Made all, asserted straight, stayed on well run-in, easily,, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May beating Arctic Fire (11-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
Nichols Canyon 4-5fav (11-10) Made all, slight mistakes 4 out and 3 out, asserted straight, soon clear, stayed on well, easily,, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in May beating Alpha Des Obeaux (11-10) by 7l, 6 ran.
Plinth (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Walked with rest of field for over ten seconds after start, behind in rear, closed before 4 out, soon 4th, chasing leaders when fell 3 out, at Navan 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress in 3rd entering straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Plinth (11-7) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Wicklow Brave 10-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 6f out, closer tracking leaders on inside over 2f out, switched left and went 2nd inside final 2f, no chance with winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd final 50 yards, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Flying Officer (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Identity Thief (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Made all, ridden clear from 2 out, slight mistake at last, stayed on well, won at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding in Oct beating Whiteout (10-8) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
