tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, close 2nd travelling well when slight mistake 2 out, led before last and ridden clear run-in, stayed on well
led, ridden 2 out, soon strongly pressed, headed before last, not fluent at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon weakened, last when pulled up after 2 out
held up in 5th, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression on leaders after 2 out
BELLSHILL should complete the Mullins treble, though faces his stiffest test to date. Last year's Punchestown Champion Bumper winner has gained two very easy victories over hurdles to date, slamming a decent rival in Tycoon Prince on heavy ground at Navan last month. The champion trainer won this last year with McKinley, who was the outsider of his three runners, so the stable's Stone Hard, who set a very strong pace in that latter race before falling five out, is by no means a second string though his overall form doesn't compare with that of his stable companion. Anibale Fly, a very useful bumper winner, beat a huge field on his hurdling bow in testing ground at Navan where he overcame inexperience. He's another smart prospect as is Marakoush, a winner on the Flat for John Oxx and an easy winner over this trip at Punchestown in November. Last Encounter is useful but looks out of his depth on what we have seen so far.
Anibale Fly (FR) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, 6th 2 out and progress into 3rd at last, short of room on inner run-in, switched right final 100 yards, ridden and kept on well to lead close home, won at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Broken Soul (11-9) by 1/2l, 28 ran.
Bellshill (IRE) 4-6fav (11-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, left in lead after 7th, slight mistake 3 out, asserted after next and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec beating Tycoon Prince (11-3) by 12l, 4 ran.
Last Encounter (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, disputed 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Gangster (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Stone Hard (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Led, slight mistakes 1st and 4th, mistake and unseated rider 7th, at Navan 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Marakoush (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Made all, soon well clear, pushed along and slightly reduced lead from before straight, stayed on well to assert from before last, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov beating Road To Respect (11-7) by 12l, 19 ran.