towards rear, 5th halfway, pushed along after 2 out and went 3rd approaching last, soon no impression and kept on one pace run-in
tracked leader, slight mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, pushed along and lost place entering straight, no impression in rear approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
held up in rear, some headway on outer after 2 out and went 4th early straight, pushed along and no impression when slight mistake last, no extra run-in
made all, not fluent 2nd, travelled well and 2 lengths clear early straight, slight mistake last, pushed out and kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd entering straight, pushed along and no impression on winner approaching last where not fluent, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 3rd before 3 out, pushed along entering straight and soon towards rear, no extra, kept on one pace run-in
STATE MAN won the Champion Novice Hurdle here a year ago then beat Sharjah and Vauban in subsequent Grade 1 races before a disappointing run behind Honeysuckle at Leopardstown. He had no answer to Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle but that was hardly a disgrace and he should beat his two stablemates again. Zanahiyr is admirably consistent at the highest level without quite managing a breakthrough but stablemate Pied Piper, only beaten a head in the County Hurdle, has twice finished behind the selection this season.
Colonel Mustard (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, went 2nd flat, stayed on, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Rubaud (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Pied Piper 12-1 (11-13) Mid-division, effort from 2 out, led and pecked last, soon headed, every chance flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 24, hd behind Faivoir (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Sharjah (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, headway before 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
State Man (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Waited with in last pair, good headway out wide tracking leaders at 4th, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, never any chance with impressive winner, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Vauban (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd at 4th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace, never any chance with impressive winner, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Zanahiyr (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased winner from 1st, blundered 3rd, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Constitution Hill (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
