tracked leader in 2nd, travelling well entering straight, led and went clear after 2 out, stayed on well from last, easily
raced 3rd, close 3rd on outer 3 out, ridden and disputed lead briefly 2 out, soon no impression
led, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, weakened before last
raced last, close up entering straight, soon ridden, kept on without threatening to go 2nd before last, no chance with easy winner
Benash progressed nicely over hurdles but cut little ice in two starts over fences before reverting to timber at Fairyhouse where he ran quite well behind Mikael D'Haguenet. Powerstation had been given a chance by the handicapper when gaining his first victory over hurdles for two years over 2m7f eight days ago and goes well on the track. ZAIDPOUR beat older horses in the Grade 1 Royal Bond a year ago and though slightly disappointing subsequently he reappeared in very good form at Thurles and can start making up for lost time. Prima Vista looks a big threat as this Grade 2 winner failed by only the narrowest margin in the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in May and looks a very bright prospect.
Zaidpour (FR) 3-10fav (11-10) Tracked leader, keen hold, challenged and on terms 2 out, soon led and quickly clear, stayed on well easily, won at Thurles 2m 6f hdl hvy in Nov beating Boland's Corner (11-3) by 8l, 5 ran.
Powerstation (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in main group, 8th halfway, headway into close 4th 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon led, headed last, rallied to lead again run-in, kept on well close home, won at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl beating He'llberemembered (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Prima Vista 8-1 (11-10) Settled 4th, ridden in 3rd entering straight, stayed on to narrow lead approaching last, narrowly headed run-in, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Spirit of Adjisa (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in May.
Benash (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Mikael D'Haguenet (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft.
