tracked leader in 2nd, jumped big 1st, not fluent 3 out, disputed next, led narrowly entering straight, soon pushed along and asserted, 3 lengths lead last, kept on well
led, not fluent 2nd, pushed along and headed narrowly entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, pecked last and soon dropped to 3rd, kept on one pace
held up in touch in 3rd, jumped big 1st, closer in 3rd 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, went 2nd at last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 1st and 5th, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra before last
Willie Mullins, who has won ten of the last eleven of these, saddles three of the five entries including the 2019 winner Saldier and Sharjah, who scored in 2018 and last year. The former won the Galway Hurdle last year and though not in peak form is capable of winning this at his best. The latter has had a brilliant career with six of his nine victories over timber coming at Grade 1 level. After landing a Limerick maiden, STATE MAN won the County Handicap at Cheltenham then was very impressive in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle here and is Paul Townend's pick. Galway Hurdle runner-up Jesse Evans has been in excellent form but needs to step-up while Teahupoo does best on heavy ground as he showed when beating the smart Darasso easily at Gowran in February.
Jesse Evans (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division and 11th halfway, pushed along over 2f out, no impression and weakened from over 1f out, 19th of 20, dist behind Drop The Anchor (8-7) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Saldier (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Led, soon headed, improved to lead at 4th, headed before 4 out, led narrowly before 3 out where mistake and headed, ridden in 3rd approaching straight, weakened quickly 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Teahupoo (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m (1) hvy in Feb.
Sharjah (FR) 5-6fav (11-12) Waited with in rear early, soon chased leaders, briefly tight for room and pushed along briefly approaching final hurdle, closed up travelling smoothly straight, under pressure and gained narrow lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Zanahiyr (11-12) by nk, 6 ran.
State Man (FR) 11-10fav (11-10) Held up, rear halfway, 4th and slight mistake 3 out, travelled well to challenge on outer early straight, pushed out to lead before last, soon asserted, stayed on strongly to go clear run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Flame Bearer (11-10) by 7l, 5 ran.
Teahupoo (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no extra entering straight, last of 6, 24 1/2l behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
