tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th and driven along 3 out, lost touch from next
held up in rear, 5th and ridden 3 out, no extra from next
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, close up travelling best from 2 out, on terms when not fluent last, soon driven into lead, ran on well, easily
attempted to make all, ridden and strongly pressed from 2 out, headed after last, not pace of winner, kept on
held up in touch, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden after next, soon no impression
chased leaders in 4th, slight mistake 4th, dropped to rear next, trailing when mistake 3 out, tailed off
Just half-a-dozen go to post here but an enthralling race in prospect with the long-awaited return to action of FIVEFORTHREE the highlight of the meeting. Willie Mullins' brilliant novice hurdler, winner of the Ballymore Properties at Cheltenham in 2008, hasn't been seen since landing the World Series Hurdle over three miles here in April the following year. He has an entry in the World Hurdle and this is too short but his class can see him through against main threat On The Way Out, who is also better over further as he showed when a close fourth behind Shinrock Paddy in a Grade 3 over 2m3f at Naas last time. Newmill needs no introduction and reverts to hurdles after a reasonable effort in the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles. The former champion chaser finished just in front of On The Way Out when hunting up Sublimity at Cork previously and may not be finished winning yet. Der Spieler is a very useful performer on his day but the race conditions are against him here.
Der Spieler (GER) 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden early straight, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 29l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Navan 2m hdl sft in Jan.
Drumbledore (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace, 8th of 18, 29l behind Allee Garde (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Fiveforthree (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway in 6th 4 out, 5th next, improved in 3rd before straight, travelled well to challenged before last and soon led, ridden clear approaching last, kept on strongly, won at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 (1) gs in Apr '09 beating Pettifour (11-10) by 7l, 10 ran.
Newmill (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, 6th and headway 4 out, 3rd next, 2nd and ridden to challenge before 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 9, 12l behind Follow The Plan (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
On The Way Out (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, 4th 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 9, 3l behind Shinrock Paddy (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f hdl Gr3 (1) in Jan.
Oh Em Gee (IRE) Lahib gelding out of Saxa.
