tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close up early straight, pushed along approaching last and no impression run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 4th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and no impression before last, no extra
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute lead 4 out, led 2 out and pushed along approaching last, pressed briefly early run-in, kept on well closing stages
held up towards rear, 5th halfway, headway on outer early straight and pushed along to go 2nd approaching last, challenged early run-in, no impression on winner closing stages
led, joined 4 out, headed 2 out, pushed along and soon dropped to 5th, no impression run-in
always towards rear, pushed along and detached after 3 out, soon no extra, weakened and eased, completely tailed off
Aramax scored in France in July and made his debut for Gordon Elliott in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month but was weakening when falling 2 out. He should find this much more to his liking while the stable's Gealach showed much improved form to land a Punchestown maiden on New Year's Eve. WOLF PRINCE landed a maiden here on heavy ground by 14 lengths before finding Aspire Tower much too strong in the Knight Frank, where he had some smart young hurdlers behind. He can take this though Takarengo was in excellent form on the Flat before a promising hurdling bow at Leopardstown but didn't make the expected progress at Cork next time.
Aramax (GER) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders early, not fluent 2nd, soon towards rear, pushed along and no impression after 5th, no extra when fell final hurdle, at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Gealach (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 6th 3 out, headway into 2nd before last, led at last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec beating Pasley (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 20 ran.
Wolf Prince (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Waited with, progress to chase winner but no impression straight, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Aspire Tower (10-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Hammersmith (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd and briefly pushed along, ridden in 6th 3 out, weakened, 8th of 9, dist behind Cerberus (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Takarengo (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Led early, slow 1st and headed, tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, no impression approaching 2 out where hampered and left 3rd, no extra when slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 17, 16l behind Recent Revelations (10-10) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Dear Miriam (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Beguiling Charm (9-5) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp fll (5) gf in Jul.
