led, 2 lengths clear after 8th, not fluent at 9th and reduced advantage, headed before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, progress to lead narrowly at last, kept on strongly
soon raced in rear, progress to 4th after 6th, improved to 2nd after 3 out, headway to lead before 2 out, headed at last, ridden and weakened to 3rd closing stages
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 4 out, dropped to rear and ridden after 3 out, detached approaching straight, no extra
held up, not fluent at 1st and 6th, soon dropped to 5th, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, not fluent at last, kept on run-in to 2nd closing stages, not trouble winner
held up, 3rd halfway, progress to 2nd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon niggled along in 3rd, dropped to 4th and under pressure before 2 out, weakened
Minella Fair showed his liking for a stamina test when making a successful hurdling debut over 2m6f at Punchestown and will improve again though faces much stiffer opposition. Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott provide his four rivals and it's the former who holds the key. Fabulous Saga galloped his rivals into submission to land a Grade 3 on very heavy going at Cork and with conditions likely to be similar he'll be hard to catch. Burren Life was beaten a distance into second and can have little hope of reversing the form though AINSI VA LA VIE may be capable of catching her stable companion at a difference of 10lb in the weights. She's won four of her five starts to date and was impressive on testing ground at Thurles so gets the vote though Delta Work is a progressing type who has run well behind useful rivals on his two latest starts.
Fabulous Saga (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Made all, not fluent at 7th, travelled well and asserted after 4 out, clear before 3 out, kept on well, eased run-in, very easily, won at Cork 3m (1) hvy in Dec beating Burren Life (11-3) by dist, 5 ran.
Burren Life (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Towards rear behind clear leaders, moderate 3rd after 5th, not fluent at 6th, mistake at 8th and dropped to moderate 4th, trailing 4 out, kept on one pace to moderate 2nd, 2nd of 5, dist behind Fabulous Saga (11-3) at Cork 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Minella Fair (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 2nd 2 out, ridden to dispute after 2 out, led before last, strongly pressed run-in, kept on under pressure, all out, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Derrinross (11-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Delta Work (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, moderate 3rd before last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 12 3/4l behind Samcro (11-2) at Navan 2m 4f (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Ainsi Va La Vie (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, left 2nd 3 out, challenged before straight, led 2 out, pushed out to assert before last, slight mistake last, kept on strongly, easily, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn hvy in Nov beating Martello Park (11-7) by 13l, 15 ran.
