always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, soon weakened, eased after next, completely tailed off
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, not fluent 5th, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, not fluent last, no extra
led, pushed along and headed after 2 out, 3rd and no impression before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, closer travelling well entering straight, squeezed through gap on rail after 2 out and 2nd approaching last, led run-in and drew clear closing stages, comfortably
tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, 2nd halfway, headway to lead after 2 out, pushed along and 2 lengths lead when mistake last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner
towards rear, 5th and pushed along after 3 out, no impression from next, no extra
This has been run twice and Willie Mullins has won both. HOOK UP was only five lengths behind subsequent Triumph Hurdle winner Burning Glory in a Grade 3 here in February and reappeared with a convincing victory on a return visit in November. She looks one to follow and is at the fore of the market for the Dawn Run at Cheltenham. Queens Brook, a very good third in the championship bumper at Cheltenham, won a maiden here then was beaten a head in a Down Royal Grade 3. She found 2m3f stretching her stamina in Grade 2 company here next time and looks a major threat. Royal Kahala came here for a bumper in November and won very easily then repeated the process over timber a few days later. She's improving rapidly and has to be respected. Razzle Dazzle Love was beaten a long way in the latter of those races, though that was over 2m4f and she showed massive improvement when making all over the minimum at Punchestown. Delvino won a Down Royal bumper in March and reappeared with a comfortable victory over timber at Naas so she's another to be interested in.
Lily's Gem (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Held up, 7th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden towards rear, no extra next, pulled up before 2 out, at Down Royal 2m 3f hcp sft in Mar.
Delvino (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd travelling well entering straight, disputed lead bypassing 2 out, pushed along and led bypassing last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Castra Vetera (11-9) by 4l, 19 ran.
Razzle Dazzle Love (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led, joined from 3 out, soon regained lead, went on approaching straight, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 1f mdn hvy in Dec beating Hamundarson (12-0) by 23l, 19 ran.
Royal Kahala (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Mid-division on outer, headway into 5th 3 out, improved to dispute lead travelling well 2 out, led before last, slight mistake at last, pushed along inside final furlong, stayed on well, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating The Getaway Star (11-9) by 6 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hook Up (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Made all, travelling well 2 out, went clear before last, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Gars De Sceaux (11-11) by 12l, 17 ran.
Toor Hawk (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Rear, not fluent at 8th, soon detached, never a factor, pulled up before 3 out, at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Queens Brook (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression on leaders run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 15 3/4l behind Concertista (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 3f (1) sft in Nov.
