tracked leaders, took keen hold, 3rd halfway, 4th on inner 2 out, switched to outer before last where close 3rd, ridden and no impression run-in, kept on same pace
disputed at steady pace, led 2nd, not fluent next, pushed along and pressed before 2 out, mistake and headed 2 out, ridden and no impression in 4th at last, kept on one pace
held up in touch towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, in touch in 6th before 3 out, pushed along in 5th before next, ridden and no impression in 5th at last, kept on one pace
disputed at steady pace, headed 2nd and tracked leader after, pressed leader before 2 out where slight mistake, pushed along in 2nd before last, ridden to challenge run-in, led final 50 yards, stayed on well
reluctant to race and lost considerable ground at start, in touch after 1st, tracked leaders from next, 4th when mistake 4th, 3rd when bad mistake and dropped to rear 3 out, ridden and no extra after 2 out
held up in touch, 5th before 3 out, 4th after 3 out, progress to challenge before next, led 2 out, narrow lead last, ridden and pressed run-in, headed final 50 yards, kept on same pace
Byker, a winner at Windsor in October for Richard Hannon, made a promising hurdling debut at Limerick before coming here and landing a maiden with a subsequent winner almost nine lengths back in third. Jazzy Matty landed the odds at Fairyhouse but didn't appear to act on heavy ground on a return visit. Metamorpheus made a cracking hurdling debut at Limerick then comfortably beat Almuhit on heavy going at Punchestown, though the latter will be 8lb better off. SIR ALLEN finished runner-up to the very smart Blood Destiny at Cork then beat a big field at Punchestown with Morning Soldier well beaten, form that could be good enough for this.
Byker (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Soon close up, progress to 2nd after 3rd, took closer order 4 out, led before last, driven out closing stages, won at Naas 2m mdn sft in Jan beating Mighty Mo Missouri (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 21 ran.
Jazzy Matty (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Slightly hampered start, tracked leader in 2nd, 2nd to clear leader 4 out, 4th and closer 2 out, dropped to 5th and no impression last, no extra in moderate 5th run-in, 5th of 7, 22 3/4l behind Blood Destiny (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Metamorpheus (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In touch, 7th after 3rd, headway after 2 out, improved to 2nd last, led closing stages, ran on well, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Almuhit (11-7) by 5l, 21 ran.
Sir Allen 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, bumped 1st, soon tracked leader, 2nd halfway, disputed 3 out, headed and close 3rd after next, challenged before last where disputed, ridden and led final 150 yards, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Calico (10-7) by 2l, 20 ran.
Almuhit (IRE) 17-2 (11-7) In touch, 10th 4 out, slightly hampered 3 out, progress 2 out, not fluent last, no impression run-in, 6th of 21, 9 3/4l behind Byker (11-7) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Morning Soldier (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, moderate 3rd after 4 out, 6th and closer 2 out, no impression after 2 out, weakened in moderate 6th before last, 6th of 7, 29 1/4l behind Blood Destiny (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
