led, mistake 4th, pushed along 2 out, ridden and disputed entering straight, headed before last, no extra and kept on same pace
tracked leader in 2nd early, settled in 3rd from 4th, closer and slight mistake 3 out, travelled well to challenge entering straight and led before last, stretched clear run-in, easily
settled 3rd early, 2nd from 4th, pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead briefly entering straight, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
Askanna beat a strong field in this a year ago but was carrying a very low weight and faces a couple of very useful performers here. Fully Funded won a Grade 2 at Navan a year ago and has been keeping top company ever since. Paul Carberry will be very keen to win the race, though his mount's big penalty gives him a tough task against SO YOUNG. Willie Mullins' charge, a close third to First Lieutenant at the Cheltenham Festival, disappointed when odds-on for the Champion Novice Hurdle here in May but should get back on the winning trail. Datokepe doesn't do much wrong but faces much stronger opposition than usual.
Fully Funded (USA) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, left 2nd 6th, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, under pressure in 5th 3 out, kept on in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace to 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1).
So Young (FR) 9-10fav (11-10) Held up in 5th, mistake and pushed along in 6th 2 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra and weakened before last, last of 6, 19l behind Spirit of Adjisa (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in May.
Askanna (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, fell 6th, in a race won by Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1), 8 ran.
Datokepe (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd before straight, led before 2 out, soon strongly pressed, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Blackwell Synergy (11-3) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Oct.
