waited with, soon in rear and off pace, a lot to do from 3 out until headway to challenge in 2nd before last, led run-in, stayed on well to quickly assert
waited with towards rear early, a little keen, closed up to chase clear leader from 2nd, some headway and slight mistake 3 out, slight mistake 2 out and pushed along, weakened in 5th and fell last
waited with, off pace in 6th from 3rd, pushed along from 3 out, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace run-in
waited with, off pace in 5th from 3rd, headway and pushed along from 2 out, led approaching last, headed run-in, one pace
a little keen, chased clear leader, off pace in 3rd from 2nd, closed and pushed along from 2 out, effort straight, one pace from before last
chased leaders, off pace in 4th and not fluent 3rd, pushed along 3 out, weakened from before last where slightly impeded
led and went on, soon clear and keen, mistake 4th, came back to field slightly from before 3 out, reduced lead before 2 out, headed approaching last, soon no extra, one pace
Willie Mullins has trained six of the last 10 winners and runs three this time with GANAPATHI making more appeal than stable companions Power Of Pause and Echoes In Rain. A winner on the Flat in France, the former made a winning debut over hurdles at Cork in November and will handle the testing ground. Gordon Elliott has won the last two renewals and Magic Tricks scored at Navan on his hurdling bow while Gua Du Large was left clear at the last when landing a maiden hurdle at Thurles. Master Mcshee won a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in good style and is preferred to another progressive handicapper in Dreal Deal while Fire Attack struggled in a Grade 1 last time though went close in a Grade 3 contest over a longer trip at Navan earlier.
Dreal Deal (IRE) 2-9fav (11-10) Waited with towards rear, closed from before 4 out, led travelling smoothly between last 2, stayed on well to assert run-in, very easily, won at Cork 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Charlie Siringo (11-7) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fire Attack (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Led, slight mistake 3rd, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Appreciate It (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Power Of Pause (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd, disputed 3rd halfway, pushed along in 4th after 2 out, progress to 2nd at last, ridden to challenge after last and soon led, stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m 1f hvy in Dec beating Crosshill (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Ganapathi (FR) 2-5fav (11-9) Prominent, disputed moderate 2nd at 3rd, soon chased clear leader, closed and led before 3 out, pressed and slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Rajsalad (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Gua Du Large (FR) 5-6fav (11-4) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led between final 2, soon edged right, slight mistake last and left clear, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Nov beating Landa Beach (11-9) by 23l, 13 ran.
Magic Tricks (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Prominent, 3rd after 3rd, closed up travelling smoothly straight, led from 2 out, went on from before last, ridden out and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Navan 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Great Bear (11-9) by 8 1/2l, 19 ran.
Echoes In Rain (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Disputed lead early, led after 3f and took keen hold, soon clear, jumped right at last (usual 3 out), travelling well entering straight, pushed out final furlong, kept on well, easily, won at Naas 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Papal Lodge (11-9) by 15l, 19 ran.
Master McShee 5-1 (11-7) Disputed early, headed after 3rd, close 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5th, improved to challenge entering straight, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec beating Sea Ducor (11-4) by 5l, 20 ran.
