prominent, 2nd 4 out, pushed along and lost place early straight, no impression in 7th and not fluent last, no extra
towards rear, 7th halfway, progress after 3 out and 3rd next, led approaching last, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, progress to lead after 6th, pressed 2 out and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and short of room after 3 out, ridden and no impression in 6th when not fluent last, kept on one pace
towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along in 7th entering straight, ridden in 5th and not fluent last, kept on one pace
led, headed after 6th, 3rd 4 out, ridden and no extra after next, weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, ran freely, progress into 4th and mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress 3 out and challenged next, ridden approaching last, 4th and no impression run-in
The veteran Thousand Stars won this a year ago though he'd already had a couple of earlier runs and arrives here without an outing since the French Champion Hurdle in June, which will be his target again. Ruby has still chosen him over Zaidpour, who had Noble Endeavor just over two lengths behind at Navan in November, and the mare Analifet, who hasn't made the expected progress after her brilliant early form. DEDIGOUT arrives in superb form having scored over 3m at Gowran and around this trip at Navan where he had Zaidpour a couple of lengths behind, both at this level. He'll be suited by the likely fast pace and testing ground and can land this for Tony Martin.
Zaidpour (FR) 66-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, outpaced 2 out, stayed on into mid-division approaching last, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 18l behind Cole Harden (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Dedigout (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Held up in touch in rear, slightly hampered 1st, headway entering straight, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden, left further clear at last, kept on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) in Feb beating Zaidpour (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thousand Stars (FR) 9-2 (10-10) 9th of 13, 29l behind Gemix (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 3m 1f hdl G1 sft in Jun.
Black Spot On (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed 5th, dropped to 4th entering straight, ridden from after 3 out, close 5th next, went 2nd briefly again approaching last, no extra run-in, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Grand Partner (11-9) at Navan 2m hcp hdl in Mar.
Gerdago (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Raced in 4th, slight mistake 6th, on terms approaching 2 out where led, pushed along approaching straight, headed approaching last where dropped to 4th and not fluent, no extra,, last of 6, 10l behind Felix Yonger (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl sft in Feb.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, effort to challenge on inside before last, soon ridden, led narrowly flat, kept on, headed final strides, 2nd of 21, hd behind Killultagh Vic (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 4f cond hcap hdle (2) sft in Mar.
Prince Rudi (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened, 17th of 18, well behind Lean Araig (10-12) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft in Feb.
Analifet (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up rear division, headway 2 out, effort and every chance on inside between last 2, disputed 2nd at last, ridden and one pace when hung left flat, no impression when lost 4th near finish, 5th of 24, 11l behind Wicklow Brave (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Jennies Jewel (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, jumped right 3rd, tended to jump slowly from 5th onwards, on terms approaching 2 out where jumped right, soon dropped to 5th and no impression, kept on again run-in,, 4th of 6, 9l behind Felix Yonger (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl sft in Feb.
