led, blundered 4 out and joined, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression on winner approaching last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, disputed after 4 out and led entering straight, asserted approaching last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 8th, lost place 3 out, rallied into 3rd next, no impression on winner and not fluent last, kept on one pace into 2nd run-in
chased leaders in 4th, in rear and detached after 7th, some progress in 4th approaching straight, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress in 3rd 3 out, soon pushed along and in rear next, no extra, eased
At Fishers Cross has never replicated the brilliant novice form that saw him win six times in succession including Grade 1's at Cheltenham and Aintree. He remains a high-class staying hurdler though this will be his first start since the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. His jumping has never been the best and he'll need to do better here. ALPHA DES OBEAUX and Martello Tower occupied the places behind the impressive Prince Of Scars in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. The latter, last season's Albert Bartlett winner, has a Grade 1 penalty to contend with which could hand the initiative to the runner-up whose previous defeats were by Arctic Fire and Nichols Canyon. The 2013 Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Briar Hill only had three opponents to beat when landing Grade 1 and 2 events over timber two years ago. He's shown nothing since falling in the 2014 Albert Bartlett but still has plenty of potential and shouldn't be ruled out. Tony Martin has won two of the last three but Noble Emperor is regarded as a chasing prospect despite his defeat of Seabass over timber at Punchestown.
Martello Tower (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Ran 3rd, left 2nd at 4th, pushed along to close before 2 out, ridden entering straight and no impression in 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 9 1/2l behind Prince Of Scars (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
Alpha Des Obeaux (FR) 2-1 (11-10) Chased leader in 2nd, left in lead at 4th, 2 lengths lead halfway, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Prince Of Scars (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) hvy in Dec.
At Fishers Cross (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, headway under pressure next, switched inside and ridden to chase leaders before last, kept on flat, just held for 3rd, no impression, 4th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Cole Harden (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Briar Hill (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Held up in touch in rear, headway and pushed along 3 out, 4th and switched right approaching last, went 2nd and closing on winner when fell at last, at Navan 2m 5f (1) Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Noble Emperor (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th and took keen hold, went 3rd at 3rd, went close 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec beating Seabass (11-8) by 3l, 8 ran.
