tracked leading pair, tracked leader 2nd, led on bit 3 out, quickened right away before the last, impressive
led, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened quickly home turn
held up and close enough in 5th, pushed along and outpaced before flattened 3 out, soon behind and lost touch, tailed off
chased leader until 2nd, chased leading pair until 4th, soon lost place and in last pair, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
waited with in last pair, good headway out wide tracking leaders at 4th, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, never any chance with impressive winner
tracked leading trio, went 3rd at 4th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace, never any chance with impressive winner, weakened into 4th run-in
always behind, outpaced and struggling before 3 out, headway on inside approaching 3 out, switched right between last two, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in
Of all the winners at last year’s Festival, CONSTITUTION HILL was probably the most impressive when running away with the Supreme Novices’. He has backed up that run with victories in Grade 1 races at Newcastle and Kempton this season and it will be a major surprise if any of these manage to lower his colours today. State Man is Ireland’s big hope having beaten Vauban and Zanahiyr in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. He also beat Vauban in the Matheson at the same track in December and won the County Hurdle last year but may have to settle for a place today. I Like To Move It clearly didn’t stay 2m4f in the Relkeel here in January but was a long way behind State Man at this meeting last year, though didn’t give his running that day.
Constitution Hill 1-7fav (11-10) Tracked leader, led narrowly 4 out, came wide turning in, clear when edged right and hit 2 out, very easily, won at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec beating Epatante (11-3) by 17l, 5 ran.
I Like To Move It 10-3 (11-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd before 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Feb beating Knappers Hill (11-10) by 17l, 4 ran.
Jason The Militant (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Led until final bend, weakened from last, 9th of 15, 11 3/4l behind Hacker Des Places (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Not So Sleepy 11-1 (11-7) Chased leader, not fluent 7th, not fluent again and lost 2nd briefly 8th, lost 2nd before 4 out, soon ridden and outpaced next, weakened soon after, last of 5, dist behind Paisley Park (11-7) at Kempton 3m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
State Man (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) Made all, pressed 2 out, went on entering straight, pushed along before last, 3 lengths lead at last, ridden out and kept on well, won at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb beating Honeysuckle (11-5) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Vauban (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, took keen hold, mistake 1st, not fluent 4th, headway after 2 out, pushed along in 3rd before last, slow at last, ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind State Man (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Zanahiyr (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, close up early, not fluent 3rd, 4th halfway, close 3rd when slow 2 out, soon ridden and dropped to rear, no extra before last, kept on one pace, last of 5, 8l behind State Man (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
