prominent, disputed lead from 3rd until headed approaching 3 out, dropped to 6th after 2 out, no impression approaching last
held up towards rear racing keenly, pulled way into 4th before halfway, ridden after 2 out, 5th and no impression early straight, kept on one pace
held up in rear of mid-division, headway into 3rd after 2 out, challenged travelling well approaching last, ridden on run-in and stayed on well to lead closing stages
mid-division on inner, 5th 2 out, soon no impression and dropped to 7th, kept on from before last without threatening
led, joined at 3rd, headed 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra approaching straight, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on inner, 5th 3 out, under pressure when mistake next, weakened, eased when beaten in straight
rear of mid-division on outer, still in touch 3 out, no extra approaching straight
tracked leaders, headway to dispute 4 out, led next, sent clear from 2 out, reduced advantage at last, kept on well under pressure, headed closing stages
towards rear, 6th approaching 2 out, headway between horses into moderate 2nd entering straight, closer in 3rd under pressure at last, no impression run-in and kept on one pace
tracked leaders racing keenly, 3rd halfway, no extra after 3 out
held up in rear on inner, some headway on outer 3 out, no extra from next
Punjabi won this in 2008 and had a tremendous battle with Solwhit before going down a short-head a year ago. Neither were at their best in this year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and look certain to get competitive again. Solwhit landed a slowly-run Grade 1 Punchestown Hurdle in November from Muirhead, HURRICANE FLY and De Valira. Hurricane Fly produced the outstanding run over timber in the last couple of years when slamming Go Native in the Future Champions at Leopardstown in December 2008 and Willie Mullins would not be risking him after his long lay-off if he wasn't confident of taking home the spoils. Dunguib looked a monster before failing at Cheltenham and needs to have made rapid progress in the interim to have a chance against these top-notchers who also include Champion Hurdle disappointment Medermit, who had previously beaten Punjabi easily at Haydock.
De Valira (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 5th of 6, 11l behind Luska Lad (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m hdl G2 sft in Feb.
Dunguib (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Held up mid-division on outside, not fluent 3rd, hit 5th, headway 3 out, chased leading pair after next, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Menorah (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 8-13fav (11-10) Led, keen hold, headed after 1st, tracked leader after, dropped to 3rd and kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Solwhit (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 hvy in Nov.
Medermit (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up, went 4th after 2nd, closed approaching 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon struggling, 7th of 12, 19l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Muirhead (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Khyber Kim (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd.
Punjabi 15-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, closed after 3rd, not fluent next, weakened after 2 out, 9th of 12, 25l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Ronaldo Des Mottes (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Held up, towards rear, headway 3 out, challenging soon after, led 2 out, edge left approching last, soon joined, headed and no extra final 150 yards, 2nd of 23, 1 3/4l behind Get Me Out Of Here (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Feb.
Solwhit (FR) 6-1 (11-10) Held up, went 5th after 2nd, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon in rear, no impression after, 6th of 12, 19l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Thousand Stars (FR) 20-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, headway 2 out, soon chased leaders, led last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar beating Arcalis (10-4) by 3l, 28 ran.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, in rear next, detached 4 out, headway when hampered 2 out, kept on approaching next, took 4th near finish, 4th of 7, 8l behind Khyber Kim (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl G1 (1) gd.
Voler La Vedette (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 7th, challenged 2 out, not quicken and switched right before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs in Mar.
