settled behind leaders, mainly 3rd, ridden and dropped to rear entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace
led, pressed after 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out, 4th before last and kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, challenged after 3 out, led entering straight, slight mistake and pressed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well under pressure from before last, all out close home, just held on
held up in rear, slight mistake 5th, closer after 3 out, 3rd entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed winner before last, under pressure in 2nd run-in, stayed on well close home and just held
settled behind leaders, mainly 4th, ridden 2 out, no impression in moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace
This has been won by the likes of Hurricane Fly, Dunguib, Jezki and Nichols Canyon in recent years. Willie Mullins will be disappointed he has to race LONG DOG and Bachasson against each other as both look perfectly capable of landing Grade 1's and should provide the champion trainer with a 1-2. It's difficult to evaluate the difference in form as both won Grade 3's last time and are obviously high-class young hurdlers. The latter has been very impressive and the former has been racing over longer trips but Ruby Walsh has chosen Long Dog so his mount looks the one to be on at this stage. Gunnery Sergeant is thrust into this exalted company after falling when looking a likely winner at Gowran last week on his hurdling debut but Archive had his limitations exposed in Grade 3 company after his maiden victory at Galway. Baily Cloud scrambled home over 2m4f at Galway last time but had landed a maiden over this trip comfortably earlier in the month.
Archive (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Soon raced in 4th, slightly slow 5th, closed approaching straight to be prominent, challenged 3 out, no impression approaching last where slightly impeded, one pace, 4th of 5, 13 3/4l behind Three Stars (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Baily Cloud (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to dispute 3 out, slight mistake next and soon headed, no impression on leader when left in front last, under pressure and joined 100 yards out, kept on to lead on line, won at Galway 2m 4f Yielding in Oct beating Altiepix (11-3) by ns, 6 ran.
Long Dog 1-7fav (11-8) Made all, not fluent 7th, still travelling smoothly straight, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Limerick 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Oct beating Solatentif (11-2) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Gunnery Sergeant (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead entering straight, fell 2 out, at Gowran Park 2m sft in Nov.
