tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, and dropped to 4th, 3rd briefly entering straight, soon ridden, dropped to 4th 2 out, soon no impression in moderate 4th
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 2nd and 3rd, ridden in 2nd when slight mistake 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in
always behind, trailing and ridden from 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden in moderate 5th from 3 out, soon no impression, slight mistake 2 out
held up in rear, mostly 6th, ridden from 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
led, ridden after 2 out, soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 4 out, 4th briefly entering straight, progress into 3rd and ridden 2 out, went 2nd before last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott had nine of the original 16 entries between them. The former has left a trio in at the overnight stage while Elliott relies on the unbeaten Free Expression. A winning point-to-pointer and bumper, he beat a huge field of maidens at Naas on his hurdling debut before landing a Grade 2 at Navan and, with more to offer, he should take all the beating. However, TELL US MORE was so impressive at Gowran on his hurdling bow that it will take a very smart one to beat him and he's already well to the fore in ante-post betting for several races at Cheltenham. Killer Crow and McKinley also represent the champion trainer and neither can be dismissed nor can Couleur France, a very good third behind No More Heroes in a Navan Grade 2 last month.
Couleur France (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Disputed early, soon chased leader, slight mistake 2nd and held up behind leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression next, kept on one pace to 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 8l behind No More Heroes (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) in Dec.
Free Expression (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Held up in touch, 6th after 4th, 5th approaching straight, soon pushed along and not much room, switched right before 3 out, soon edged left, led between last 2, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Nov beating Shantou Flyer (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Golden Boot (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Close up, led after 2nd, slight mistake 3 out, pressed 2 out and slight mistake, soon headed, dropped to 3rd into straight, no impression after, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Rock On The Moor (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mdn hdl in Dec.
Killer Crow (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, some slight mistakes, tracked leaders, close up 5th, led approaching straight, joined 2 out and not fluent, stayed on best run-in, won at Naas 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Fine Article (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 24 ran.
On Impulse (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, 4th at 3rd, travelled well to narrowly lead 2 out, asserted before last, eased close home, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl in Dec beating Lean Araig (11-12) by 8l, 15 ran.
Tell Us More (IRE) 1-5fav (11-12) Made all, went well clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, impressive, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov beating Nimdani (11-9) by 11l, 18 ran.
Mckinley 8-1 (11-7) Chased leader in close 2nd, slightly hampered 3rd, soon pulled up quickly, in a race won by Sizing John (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
