raced in 2nd, on terms briefly 3rd, travelling smoothly approaching straight, led approaching last, soon ridden to assert and stayed on well
led, slight mistake 3rd and joined briefly, slight mistake 5th, pushed along approaching straight, headed approaching last, slightly impeded and switched left run-in, kept on without matching winner
waited with, in touch in rear, keen, slight mistake 2nd, slight mistake 2 out, under pressure early straight, soon no impression, no extra from before last
Abacadabras halted a run of nine successive winners for Willie Mullins when successful last year. Gordon Elliott's charge went on to land the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle over 2m4f and like stable companion Zanahiyr may prove better over that sort of trip. SHARJAH was successful in 2018 and followed last season's Grade 1 victory at Leopardstown with three runs behind Honeysuckle, the last two when runner-up in Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and here. Regular pilot Patrick Mullins teams up again and he was on board when Echoes In Rain won the Champion Novices' here in April. The latter looks an outstanding prospect and has her allowance to aid her cause but the selection is battle-hardened and that may swing things in his favour.
Sharjah (FR) 9-1 (12-0) In touch in rear, 7th 3 out, closer in 5th 2 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, briefly strongly pressed winner after last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Zanahiyr (IRE) 8-13fav (11-9) Made most, pushed along and joined after 3 out, ridden and led 2 out, went clear run-in and stayed on strongly, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 1f (1) sft in Oct beating Cask Mate (11-4) by 8l, 5 ran.
Echoes In Rain (FR) 8-13fav (11-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 5th, travelled well after 2 out, pushed along to lead approaching last, ridden and soon asserted run-in, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Colonel Mustard (12-0) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Abacadabras (FR) 14-1 (12-0) In touch in rear of mid-division, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Darasso (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in last, closer in 4th and pushed along when slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, disputed lead before last, led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Sire Du Berlais (11-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
