led, mistake 3rd and jumped right next, ridden and pressed before last, headed last, rallied well run-in to lead again last 100 yards, kept on well close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute 2nd at 5th, ridden and no extra before last, kept on one pace
chased leader, slight mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no extra in 4th entering straight, kept on one pace
held up, 6th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, dropped to rear and ridden before 2 out, no impression when fell 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, progress entering straight, ridden to challenge before last, led last, kept on run-in, headed last 100 yards and no extra close home
held up behind leaders in 5th, improved into 3rd before last, soon pushed along briefly and no impression on leaders, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
held up in rear, 6th from before 2 out, ridden after 2 out and no impression
Willie Mullins has three entries, all returning after long breaks. Aurko hasn't run since December 2013 when easily landing a three-year-old hurdle at Pau. Diakali is easily the form pick having won at the highest level and beaten stable companion Thousand Stars by 10l at Tipperary in July 2015. He hasn't run since the Galway Hurdle later that month and the presence of Ruby Walsh on board BONBON AU MIEL suggests he's the more forward of the trio. A close second to the useful Bouchasson on his bumper debut in 2014, he hasn't started since scoring over hurdles the following September but could prove a very smart prospect. Hidden Cyclone is very much in the veteran stage but is a real credit to connections having won 16 of his 40 races. He's certainly no back number judged on his latest runs and looks the main threat. Triple bumper winner Tycoon Prince hasn't quite got going over timber and the once well regarded Ttebbob hasn't been in the best of form while I Shot The Sheriff is another reappearing after a very long absence.
Hidden Cyclone (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led and disputed, slight mistake 4th, not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 5th of 20, 2 1/4l behind Ice Cold Soul (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Diakali (FR) 4-1fav (11-7) Settled behind leaders early, mid-division in 10th halfway, closer in 7th after 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, 13th of 20, dist behind Quick Jack (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp gd in Jul.
Tycoon Prince (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, 5th and slight mistake 5th, mistake 7th, ridden in 4th after 2 out, disputed moderate 3rd approaching last, no impression run-in, 4th of 6, 14l behind Supasundae (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Aurko (FR) (10-12) won at Pau 2m 1f sft in Dec beating Systemique (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Bonbon Au Miel (FR) 4-5fav (10-7) won at Fontainebleau 2m 2f hvy in Sep beating Mail Du Berlais (10-3) by 8l, 15 ran.
I Shot The Sheriff (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, dropped to last and ridden 5 out, no impression, never a factor, last of 11, dist behind Jezki (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Ttebbob (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, took keen hold, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 37 1/4l behind Sutton Place (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
