led, took keen hold, joined 3 out, headed approaching straight, dropped to 3rd 2 out, soon 4th and weakened
soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, travelling smoothly and closed straight, challenged 2 out, soon on terms, pushed along to lead run-in, soon quickened away to assert, easily
tracked leader, not fluent 5th, on terms 3 out, led approaching straight, pushed along before 2 out where pressed and slight mistake, soon joined, headed run-in, no extra, one pace
soon raced in 4th, under pressure from 5th, dropped to rear approaching straight, weakened
held up, soon raced in 5th, no impression from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening
in rear, went moderate 4th approaching straight, pushed along before 2 out, soon 3rd and no impression, one pace
IVAN GROZNY has improved with experience and followed a Grade 3 victory at Tipperary with a facile success on the Flat at Galway. He made all for another easy victory in a Grade 2 back at Tipperary in October and is still in the Champion Hurdle. Supasundae was always travelling nicely when beating Monksland easily over 2m4f at Punchestown so the drop back to the minimum shouldn't pose a problem and he looks a threat. Sutton Place is a very smart prospect and it wouldn't take much improvement for him to be challenging for top honours. His bumper success was followed by victories in Listed and Grade 2 novice company and though returning from a long break he should be ready. Minella Foru is a cracking chaser but he is unlikely to have the pace for this.
Ivan Grozny (FR) 2-5fav (11-7) Made all, slight mistake 4th, 4 lengths clear halfway, travelling well 2 out, pushed out and kept on well run-in, won at Tipperary 2m (1) sft in Oct beating Bentelimar (11-4) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Sutton Place (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Mid-division, slight mistake 4th, 5th halfway, pushed along and progress to challenge 2 out, mistake last and headed, rallied under pressure run-in, led final 50 yards, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Royal Caviar (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Supasundae 7-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead 4 out, led next, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 4f sft in Dec beating Monksland (11-4) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hunters Call (IRE) 22-1 (11-11) Raced mainly in 6th, pushed along before 2 out and ridden in 4th before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Val De Ferbet (11-11) at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Minella Foru (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden into 9th 2 out, stayed on into 5th last, kept on well run-in to lead last 100 yards, won at Leopardstown 3m hvy in Dec beating Ucello Conti (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 28 ran.
Ttebbob (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Prominent, on terms 2nd, soon led and clear, reducing lead from 4 out, came back to field approaching straight, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 10th of 13, dist behind Ball D'arc (10-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
