tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, soon leant on rival, led before 2 out, hard pressed by runner-up after, driven flat, edged right towards finish, found extra close home
held up in last trio, ridden after 2 out, soon beaten, well held and hanging left before last
tracked leader, led after 1st, clear before 5th until approaching 3 out, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, effort 2 out, went 4th but not pace of leaders from home turn, stayed on same pace and lost 4th flat
led, headed after 1st, chased leader, mistake 4th, led after 3 out, soon leant on rival, headed before 2 out, weakened well before last
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, hit next and lost further ground, kept on before last, went 4th flat but no chance with leaders
held up in rear, niggled along before 3 out, well beaten after 2 out
mid-division, closed on downhill run after 5th, not much room and checked after 3 out, challenged from next, upsides winner flat, edged right towards finish, held close home
held up rear of mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd from next, unable to quicken last, soon edged left briefly, no impression but kept on
held up in last trio, headway on outside 3 out, chasing leaders after next, soon ridden and beaten, weakened before last
held up in last trio, took keen hold, last and ridden before 3 out, soon losing touch, well behind 2 out, pulled up before last
NonRunner
NonRunner
Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins are responsible for eight of the 13 runners in this but it’s difficult to look beyond defending champion BUVEUR D’AIR. He’s had a very smooth preparation, winning all three starts this season in a canter including two Grade 1 races. He’s been all-but unstoppable since suffering his only defeat over hurdles or fences on this day two years ago and it will take an exceptional performance to lower his colours today. Faugheen is his nearest market rival but the 2015 champion is now 10 and has not been at his best in his last two starts when odds-on, though is from two from two around here. He was pulled up behind Mick Jazz at Leopardstown in December, though did turn the tables in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month behind Supasundae. My Tent Or Yours has a fantastic Festival record and has finished second in this in each of the last three years. He gained a well-deserved victory in a Grade 2 here in December - beating Melon, Ch'tibello and John Constable – and will be hard to keep out of the frame again, though was beaten by Wicklow Brave at Punchestown last year. Elgin is much improved but may find a few of these too classy.
Buveur D'Air (FR) 1-16fav (11-6) Made all, quickened clear between last 2, 3 lengths ahead last, rider eased up run-in, shaken up and came quickly clear again final 100 yards, won at Sandown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb beating John Constable (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 3 ran.
Ch'tibello (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Held up off the pace in rear, not fluent 3 out, soon closed on leader, went 2nd after 2 out, switched right flat, held by winner, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Elgin (11-6) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) sft in Feb.
Charli Parcs (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 14th of 24, dist behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Elgin 5-1 (11-6) Held up off the pace, went 3rd after 3rd, closed on leader after 3 out, led before next, clear when jumped right and not fluent last, edged left flat, driven out, ran on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) sft in Feb beating Ch'tibello (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Faugheen (IRE) 9-10fav (11-10) Led, pushed along straight, soon strongly pressed, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Supasundae (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Identity Thief (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon narrow lead, joined and disputed last, headed run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Forge Meadow (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
John Constable (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased winner throughout, unable to match pace of winner between last 2, 3 lengths down and hit last, tried to close as winning rider eased up briefly run-in, well held final 100 yards, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Buveur D'Air (11-6) at Sandown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
Melon 7-2 (11-10) Raced in 3rd, pushed along from 2 out, dropped to 5th and no extra straight, one pace, 5th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Supasundae (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Mick Jazz (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Soon chased leaders, still travelling smoothly from 2 out, pushed along straight, slight mistake last and one pace, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Supasundae (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Wicklow Brave 70-1 (8-7) 10th of 23, 11 1/4l behind Rekindling (8-1) at Flemington 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Yorkhill (IRE) 7-4 (11-10) Soon raced in moderate 4th, mistake 5th and soon lost place, ridden 3 out, moderate 5th and no impression 2 out, eased straight, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Min (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led narrowly last, driven and stayed on gamely flat, in command towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating The New One (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 3 out, weakened before the last, 10th of 24, 29 3/4l behind Kalashnikov (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) sft in Feb.
