made all, pressed briefly and pushed along 2 out, stayed on well from before last, comfortably
held up in 4th, dropped to last at 5th, detached and pushed along 6th, trailing from 4 out, pulled up after next
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd 4 out, soon pushed along, regained 2nd 3 out, pressed winner briefly 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, close 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd 3 out, moderate 3rd from next, kept on one paced
held up in last, went 4th at 5th, ridden along 4 out, moderate 4th entering straight, no impression
Willie Mullins complicates matters by saddling Black Hercules and Ask Vic. The former, fourth in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham, made a very encouraging debut over timber here last month and the runner-up hasn't let the form down. Ask Vic has won a bumper and scored three times over hurdles and though finding Martello Tower just too strong here last month it was a very good run behind a useful rival. NO MORE HEROES won bumpers at Leopardstown and Naas before defying a few novicey errors to make all at Punchestown. He had little to beat but was impressive and can complete a four-timer. Pulled Mussel looks a very nice chasing type for the future but has already proven himself in a bumper and a maiden hurdle while Alpha Des Obeaux won easily at Punchestown and a step-up to this trip can bring about more improvement.
Black Hercules (IRE) 1-6fav (11-12) Led and disputed, in front 5th, in command when awkward last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov beating A Hardy Nailer (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Ask Vic (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) In rear, pushed along to go moderate 3rd early straight, went 2nd approaching last, rider without whip and kept on without getting to winner close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Martello Tower (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Chased leader, challenged on inner from after 2 out, led before last, pushed out to assert run-in, easily,, won at Punchestown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Altiepix (11-4) by 9l, 11 ran.
Annamatopoeia (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5 out, led and slight mistake 2 out, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly, comfortably (poor visibility), won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Pros 'n' Cons (10-12) by 7l, 18 ran.
Kilnockin Lady (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Made all, not fluent 1st, jumped left 3rd and not fluent next, pressed straight, not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f mares mdn hdl in May beating Teresa Lisbon (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 21 ran.
No More Heroes (IRE) 2-11fav (11-12) Made all, asserted before last, not extended, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Mells Theater (11-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Pulled Mussel (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, moderate 6th before 4th, closer in moderate 3rd from 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last where not fluent, joined run-in, pushed out to assert closing stages, won at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov beating Mike Mccann (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
