tracked clear leader disputing 2nd, moderate 4th 5 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out
always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, moderate 6th halfway, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
quickly away and made all, clear at halfway, slightly reduced advantage 2 out, went clear again entering straight, ridden and stayed on run-in, comfortably
rear of mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, moderate 6th 5 out, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, no impression
always towards rear, mistake 6th and moderate 8th halfway, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
always behind, trailing after halfway, pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders in moderate 5th, progress into moderate 3rd 5out, went closer 2nd 2 out, ridden entering straight, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 4th, moderate 5th 4 out, ridden in moderate 4th before 2 out, kept on onepace in moderate 3rd straight
always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
towards rear, ridden in moderate 7th 3 out, no impression
tracked clear leader disputing 2nd, ridden in moderate 3rd 2 out, weakened entering straight
Willie Mullins saddles seven of the dozen runners with former champion Faugheen tackling this trip for the first time since landing a Grade 3 novices' hurdle at Limerick in 2013. He's lost his sparkle in his three runs since returning from a very long break with an easy victory over Jezki, who won this in 2015, in the Morgiana at Punchestown and this looks a last throw of the dice. PENHILL is the form pick after his impressive victory in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, though he was beaten when favourite in the Grade 1 Novices' race over this trip here a year ago. Unlike many of those who are racing here this week he's a fresh horse, however, as his victory at the Festival was his first run for almost a year. His stable companion Bacardys fell at the last in the Stayers' Hurdle and though reasonably close at the time he wouldn't have beaten the winner. UK raider La Bague Au Roi has won 10 of her 14 starts though is usually beaten when stepping up in grade but heavy ground could bring Diamond Cauchois into the equation for a place at least. Identity Thief remains a class act as we saw in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle where he was competing over this trip for the first time and beat a smart field so he looks the most likely threat, though he's had four hard races this spring.
Bacardys (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division on inside, lost a few places after 3 out, not clear run after 2 out, switched left and headway approaching last, disputing 4 lengths 5th when fell last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Bleu Et Rouge (FR) 4-11fav (11-4) Slight mistake 1st, held up in rear, improved into 3rd after 4th, no extra before 3 out, eased before next, ridden and pressed for moderate 3rd run-in, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, dist behind Dr Mikey (11-4) at Cork 2m hvy in Apr.
Diamond Cauchois (FR) 7-2fav (11-8) Held up, 8th after 6th, progress and slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon headed, no impression and hit last, one pace, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Coquin Mans (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Faugheen (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led, headed after 1st, chased leader, mistake 4th, led after 3 out, soon leant on rival, headed before 2 out, weakened well before last, 6th of 11, 22l behind Buveur D'Air (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Identity Thief (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 9th, tracking leaders in 4th before 3 out, challenged going best 2 out, led before last, ridden and in command flat, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr beating Wholestone (11-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Jezki (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 6th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 8th, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
Lieutenant Colonel 5-2 (11-6) Settled 4th, 3rd before 8th, progress to 2nd before 4 out, under pressure and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 24 1/4l behind High Nellie (11-3) at Tramore 2m 5f hvy in Apr.
Penhill 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway and widest of all approaching 2 out, led before last but pressed by runner-up, stayed on well, asserting when edged left towards finish, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar beating Supasundae (11-10) by 2l, 15 ran.
Shaneshill (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, dropped behind and trailing before 7 out where slightly slow, pulled up before 3 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Dec.
Yorkhill (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in last trio, took keen hold, last and ridden before 3 out, soon losing touch, well behind 2 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m (1) hvy in Mar.
Bapaume (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up, 9th after 6th, no impression from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) hvy in Apr.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Pressed leader, led 6th, ridden and headed when blundered last, soon no extra, weakened flat, 7th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Benie Des Dieux (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Mar.
