settled in 4th, closer in 3rd from 3 out, ridden to challenge and led before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent and dropped to 4th 3 out, no extra after next and eased when beaten run-in
led, strongly pressed and headed entering straight, dropped to 3rd and no impression when not fluent last
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead entering straight, headed before last and no impression on winner run-in
Quevega has been left in purely as a precaution but Willie Mullins still saddles three of the remaining four and the remaining entry, The Real Article, appears unlikely to trouble the principals. HURRICANE FLY has won this for the past two years and should complete the hat-trick despite both of this victories being achieved on good going. He lost his Champion Hurdle title at Cheltenham where he was never going as well as normal but should bounce back and has plenty in hand of stablemates Thousand Stars, beaten 6l in this a year ago, and Zaidpour, who is probably the main threat on this ground as he found the going too quick when around 5l behind the selection at Cheltenham.
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 4-6fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, 3 lengths off winner last, stayed on, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
The Real Article (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear early, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, 2nd entering straight, ridden 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs.
Thousand Stars (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden and switched right after 2 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on well towards finish, gaining on winner close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Oscar Whisky (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd.
Zaidpour (FR) 22-1 (11-10) Mid-division, closed after 4th, pushed along 3 out, 6th and no impression when blundered last, weakened flat, 8th of 10, 12l behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Quevega (FR) 4-7fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, led approaching last, quickened clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar beating Kentford Grey Lady (11-0) by 4l, 19 ran.
