tracked leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd and ridden after 3 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, regained 2nd before last, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, no extra in 3rd at last, dropped to 4th run-in
led, jumped left at 1st, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened quickly
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th entering straight, 4th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
held up in last, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, soon no impression, never a factor
tracked leaders and took keen hold, pulled up injured after 2nd
held up in touch, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd travelling well entering straight led after 2 out, and soon ridden clear, slight mistake at last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
This has been won by some brilliant hurdlers including Hardy Eustace, Hurricane Fly, Jezki and Zaidpour. It's difficult to know what to make of Allez Colombieres. Bought for 300,000 euros after landing a bumper at Saint-Cloud a year ago, he's the choice of Ruby Walsh though the form of that latter race hasn't worked out all that well. Ruby was on board when NICHOLS CANYON made a successful debut over timber at Cork so he should know the lie of the land but the former John Gosden Listed winner will have an advantage in race fitness and experience so just gets the vote. Draco is turning into a useful performer but was beaten in a Grade 3 at Tipperary and doesn't look like a Grade 1 winner waiting to happen. Tandem, a smart performer on the Flat, looked a nice prospect when scoring at Navan though the ground could pose a problem.
All Hell Let Loose (IRE) 3-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, progress 2 out and led before last, drew clear run-in, easily, won at Galway 2m mdn hdl gd in Oct beating Rocky Court (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Draco 4-7fav (11-10) Made all, went clear from 3 out, pushed along after last, easily, won at Wexford 2m nh nov hdl gd in Oct beating The Herds Garden (11-10) by 13l, 3 ran.
Mike McCann (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, 3rd after 2nd, led approaching straight, headed 2 out, no impression when slight mistake last, one pace, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Outlander (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl.
Princely Conn (IRE) 6-4fav (11-1) Raced mainly in 4th, mistake 3 out, dropped to rear and soon ridden, no impression from before last and kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Tandem 1-2fav (11-12) Led, joined 3rd and slight mistake, headed from next, led again from 3 out, went clear soon after 2 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Tom's Article (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Allez Colombieres (FR) (10-1) won at Nantes(FR) 1m 4f 4yo nh flat hvy in Oct '13 beating As De Mee (10-1) by 4l, 6 ran.
Nichols Canyon 1-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, took keen hold and some slight mistakes, 2nd from 3rd, 3rd from 4 out, 2nd again and challenged 2 out, gained narrow lead before last, eased on to assert close home, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft beating Baily Cloud (11-7) by 1l, 11 ran.
