made most, pushed along and joined after 3 out, ridden and led 2 out, went clear run-in and stayed on strongly, easily
tracked leader in 2nd for most, improved to dispute lead travelling well after 3 out, ridden and mistake when headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, not trouble winner
held up in last throughout, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders in 4th for most, briefly disputed 3rd at 4th, ridden in 4th 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd for most, briefly disputed 3rd at 4th, ridden in 3rd 3 out and no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
Zanahiyr and CASK MATE will have bigger targets over the coming weeks but this is a nice prize and the former will be expected to return to winning ways. He completed a hat-trick in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown and started a short-priced favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham but the combination of quicker ground and a slower pace than usual blunted his effectiveness. However, he has to concede 5lb to Noel Meade's charge, narrowly beaten in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in November and a very easy winner on the Flat at Bellewestown last month, and race-fitness that can see the latter thwart his market rival. The remaining trio are playing for a place with Bonarc likely to win that race.
Zanahiyr (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Soon tracked leaders on outer, 4th after 3rd, pushed along briefly from 4 out, pushed along again and disputed 2nd approaching straight, soon bumped and switched left, stayed on well without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Jeff Kidder (11-2) at Punchestown 2m (1) Good - Yielding in May.
Cask Mate (IRE) 5-4fav (9-9) Soon chased leaders on inner and 4th from halfway, switched to outer from 3f out and soon improved to lead, extended advantage from 2f out and kept on well inside final furlong, easily, won at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn Good - Yielding in Sep beating Don't Be Angry (9-9) by 7l, 12 ran.
Justice Ears (IRE) 50-1 (11-13) Rear of mid-division, pushed along after 4 out and no extra approaching next, behind and pulled up before 2 out, at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Aug.
Monoxide 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, 7th of 9, dist behind Crackaway (12-0) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Bonarc (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Towards rear, closer in 7th 2 out, soon ridden, no impression, 5th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Mighty Meggsie (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Oct.
