held up in rear, slow at 1st, mistake 5th, ridden and no impression before next, weakened, completely tailed off
disputed until headed after 3rd, slight mistakes 4th and 5th, on terms 4 out, pushed along to lead before 2 out, slight mistake and headed 2 out, ridden and no impression in 2nd before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders on inner, 4th at 4th, slight mistake next, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and no impression before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, ridden and no impression in moderate 5th after 4 out, soon no extra, mistake 2 out
tracked leaders, raced keenly, ran around before 2nd, mistake 3rd, lost place and mistake 5th, weakened and pulled up after next
disputed until led after 3rd, slight mistake 5th, joined next, pushed along and headed before 2 out, ridden and no impression in 4th when mistake last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, a little keen, not fluent 2nd, went 3rd before 4th, progress travelling well before 2 out, on terms when slight mistake 2 out, soon led and went clear before last, kept on well, easily
mid-division, towards rear when fell 3rd
Willie Mullins won this with Footpad in 2015 and introduces YOUMDOR, a dual winner on the Flat in France and certain to know his job. Noel Meade won this last year and Crassus looks to have the best hurdles form though was a bit disappointing when beaten 12 lengths by Glorious Zoff at Sligo. The winner's yard is represented by On Guard, a winner at Yarmouth for John Gosden but very green when strongly fancied for his debut over timber at Killarney. Bigz Belief has been gradually improving and was only headed close home by the short-priced favourite Jeff Kidder at Fairyhouse when Toughari, an easy winner on the Flat previously, was beaten 8 lengths.
Baltinglass Hill (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Tracked leader, raced keenly, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 10, 18l behind Estepona Sun (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 2f sft in Aug.
Bigz Belief (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 4 out and not fluent next, led approaching 2 out, pushed along and 2 lengths clear before last, ridden and headed run-in, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Jeff Kidder (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Complete Fantasy (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway early straight and pushed along in 4th after 2 out, mistake last, no impression and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Jeff Kidder (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Dazzling Darren (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, mistake 3rd and pushed along at stages after, mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, last of 9, dist behind Perry Owens (11-2) at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Londonofficecallin (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, slight mistake in 4th at 4th, mistake next, pushed along and mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression in 5th at last, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Perry Owens (11-2) at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct.
Sydney Blues (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, disputed 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Excuzio Joe (10-2) at Galway 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Toughari (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, travelled well approaching 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace run-in, 5th of 13, 8l behind Jeff Kidder (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Youmdor (FR) 7-2 (8-9) won at Deauville 1m 2f hcp gd in May beating The Good Man (8-12) by nk, 14 ran.
Saga Malta (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra from early straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 27 1/2l behind Jeff Kidder (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Adamaris (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Soon led narrowly, disputed after 1 1/2f, headed after 3f, disputed over 3f out, headed under 2f out, soon ridden, dropped to 5th final 150 yards, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Leabaland (9-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct.
Crassus (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Led, 3 lengths clear before 3 out, reduced advantage before 2 out, joined 2 out where not fluent, headed approaching straight, no impression on winner before last, one paced, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Glorious Zoff (11-2) at Sligo 2m 1f mdn Yielding in Oct.
French Asset (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 8th halfway, mistake and pushed along 4 out, pushed along and no impression from 2 out, 8th of 9, 31l behind Perry Owens (11-2) at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct.
On Guard Evensfav (11-2) Tracked leader, led after 1st, wandered about approaching 2nd 3rd and 4th, headed 3 out, pushed along and slight mistake next, ridden and soon no extra, weakened, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Varna Gold (11-2) at Killarney 2m 1f mdn gd in Oct.
