held up in rear, closer in 4th before 3 out, ridden and no impression after 3 out
led, slight mistake 9th, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, narrowly headed before last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 3rd, closer and ridden 2 out, stayed on to challenge before last, kept on well run-in to lead last strides
held up, mainly 4th, bad mistake 6th, ridden in rear and no impression 3 out
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2 out, stayed on to narrow lead before last, strongly pressed run-in and headed last strides
Zaidpour won this in 2012 but ran a shocker when odds-on in the race a year ago and was a long way behind Lieutenant Colonel in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. That race marked the return to action after a two-year absence of MONKSLAND, who never threatened but stayed on well and will have come on a bundle. Today's race conditions could have been framed for him and, providing he's none the worse for those exertions, he will take the world of beating. Briar Hill was beaten a long way in that Leopardstown event though that can't have been the brilliant novice's true form and it's noticeable that Ruby Walsh elects to ride him rather than Zaidpour. Dedigout was having his first start for over a year that day and ran a very promising race so it would be no shock if he were the main threat to the selection as Cause Of Causes is a chaser and likely to be warming up for Cheltenham.
Briar Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 2 out, soon no extra, eased run-in, last of 8, 29l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Zaidpour (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 6th 2 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 8, 13l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Dedigout (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) In rear, slight mistake 1st, ridden in 6th entering straight, 5th before last, no impression run-in, 6th of 8, 9l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Cause Of Causes (USA) 10-1 (11-10) Towards rear, reminder 6th, under pressure when mistake 6 out, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 13, 31l behind Valseur Lido (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Nov.
Monksland (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Towards rear, 7th halfway, no impression approaching straight, moderate 6th last, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
