settled 3rd early, slight mistake 2nd, improved to dispute after 4th, dropped to 3rd halfway, led and disputed again from 5 out, led before 3 out, ridden and pressed before 2 out, joined 2 out, narrowly headed after last, soon injured and pulled up
close up and disputed, slight mistake 4 out, headed before next, ridden in 2nd before straight, no extra in 3rd before 2 out, left moderate 2nd run-in
led and disputed, slight mistakes 5th and 6th, headed before 3 out, ridden in rear after 3 out, soon no extra, left moderate 3rd run-in
held up in rear, mistake 7th and slight mistake 4 out, closer 3 out, 2nd entering straight, challenged before 2 out, disputed and pecked slightly 2 out, soon ridden, narrow lead after last, left clear run-in, kept on
Henry De Bromhead won this last year and this is the right trip for Insult, who looked a nice hurdling prospect in the spring but didn't get to grips with the fences on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse in November. He has to concede weight all round and Ferocious, who had shown nothing in bumpers, looked ideally at home on heavy ground on his hurdling debut at Tramore when gaining a surprise victory. Rightplacerightime was well supported when landing a Naas maiden over 2m last month but was beaten a long way on his handicap debut at Leopardstown later. TIGER TAP TAP, a winner on the Flat in France, looked a very smart prospect when beaten a neck by Sir Erec on his hurdling debut just over a year ago then ran in two Grade 1's. He finally got off the mark at Naas last month and though he didn't convince everyone he looks the one to beat.
Insult (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 10th of 14, dist behind Ronald Pump (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
Ferocious (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, improved to dispute after 6th, led before 3 out, ridden and joined before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on best run-in and edged ahead closing stages, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hvy in Dec beating Five O'Clock (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Rightplacerightime (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Close up, not fluent 2nd, soon lost position, no impression when not fluent 2 out, soon no extra, 17th of 25, dist behind Fauguernon (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Tiger Tap Tap (GER) Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leaders on inner, took keen hold, improved to lead travelling well 2f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Naas 2m 3f mdn sft in Dec beating Home By The Lee (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 24 ran.
