led, set strong pace but pressed, not fluent and headed briefly 5th, not fluent and headed 7th (water), led again 10th, joined 3 out, soon headed, held in pocket briefly before 2 out, no chance with winner, hit last, lost 2nd 50 yards out, dropped to 4th close home
loose briefly in parade ring, edgy, mounted in walkway, raced keenly, pressed leader from 2nd, led briefly 5th, led 7th (water), headed 10th, chased leader, tried to keep eventual 3rd in a pocket briefly before 2 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd close home, never any chance with winner
held up off the pace in 4th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, rallied and stayed on well run-in went 2nd final 50 yards, never any chance with winner
off the pace and always last, never on terms, tailed off
tracked leader until settled off the pace in 3rd place at 2nd, closer at 5th, travelling strongly before challenged 3 out, soon led, clear before next, 10 lengths ahead last, impressive
NonRunner
Allmankind is 3-3 over fences and has already won at the highest level but the five-year-old has been far from foot-perfect on occasions and his jumping will be under maximum pressure in this. SHISHKIN, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 12 months ago, has only been beaten once in his career, falling on his hurdling debut last season. He easily beat Eldorado Allen in a Grade 2 at Doncaster after a couple of wins at Kempton and, while this is a bit tougher, he has taken well to fences and it will be a surprise if he’s beaten. Willie Mullins has won this four times in the last six years but he lost his best hope, Energumene, to injury with that one well ahead of Franco De Port at Leopardstown last month. Captain Guinness was chasing the winner when falling in that latter race so could make the frame with a clear round. Numitor looks to have little chance on official ratings.
Allmankind 4-7fav (11-3) Led, not fluent 1st, awkward 6th, drew clear approaching 2 out where blundered, ridden before last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Warwick 2m (1) sft in Feb beating Sky Pirate (11-0) by 17l, 4 ran.
Captain Guinness (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, close up when fell 2 out, at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led soon after 5th, joined when hit 4 out and headed, no chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Shishkin (11-5) at Doncaster 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Franco De Port (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 3rd and dropped towards rear, 6th 4 out, pushed along and headway after 2 out, went 2nd at last, ridden and no impression on easy winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Energumene (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) sft in Feb.
Shishkin (IRE) 1-7fav (11-5) Jumped well, kept bit wide tracking leaders, went bit left and bumped 4th, went 2nd 6th, challenged and led 4 out, soon clear, impressive, won at Doncaster 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Eldorado Allen (11-5) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Numitor 7-4fav (11-7) Led until after 2nd, chased leader, in front again 9th until 2 out, soon no chance with winner, mistake and lost 2nd last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 17 1/2l behind Belargus (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.