chased leaders, soon 3rd, closed up travelling smoothly approaching straight, soon challenged between horses, pushed along from 2 out, soon on terms, led early run-in and stayed on best, asserted closing stages
jn rear, slight mistake 4th, closed next, closed up to be prominent on outer after 3 out, on terms travelling smoothly before straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden, joined approaching last, headed early run-in, no extra and eased closing stages
chased leaders, soon 4th, lost place and pushed along 6th, soon under pressure in rear and detached, left poor 4th from 2 out, no extra
soon led, joined 5th, soon headed, 4th approaching straight and under pressure, left moderate 3rd from 2 out, no extra
close up, soon raced in 2nd, on terms 5th, soon led, headed before 2 out but still close up when fell
Willie Mullins completed a hat-trick in the race before Kitten Rock interrupted the sequence last year. The champion trainer should get back on track via SEMPRE MEDICI despite his penalty for his Grade 3 victory at Navan. He's still in the Champion Hurdle though that looks optimistic but he beat the classy Identity Thief comfortably at Fairyhouse in April. Sizing Tennessee looks a chaser in the making but he's returned from a two-year break in excellent form and made all for a battling victory over subsequent winner Bright New Dawn at Navan. Bentelimar won a Listed contest at Punchestown in February and hasn't run badly in decent company subsequently though like the remaining pair he'll need to step up a gear to get involved.
Sempre Medici (FR) 1-8fav (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 3rd, closed straight, challenged travelling smoothly from 2 out, led between last 2, hit last, pushed out to soon assert, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 3f (1) Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Massini's Trap (11-1) by 5l, 4 ran.
Bentelimar (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led before 3rd, slight mistakes 4 out and 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last where not fluent, no extra, 6th of 23, 11l behind Henry Higgins (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Jan.
King of The Picts (IRE) 150-1 (11-10) Held up in 4th early, rear halfway, reminders after 4th, ridden next, no extra 3 out, weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Faugheen (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led before 1st and soon clear, increased lead 5th and 15 lengths clear halfway, slight mistake 4 out and reduced advantage next, headed entering straight and soon no extra, 6th of 13, 29 3/4l behind Diamond Cauchois (10-0) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
Sizing Tennessee (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, a little keen, pushed along from 2 out, reduced lead and held on at the finish, won at Navan 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Bright New Dawn (11-8) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
