held up in last, ridden and trailing 5 out, weakened and completely tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead entering straight, ridden to assert before last, kept on well
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden and no extra when mistake 3 out, weakened before next
led, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 2nd before last where slight mistake, kept on same pace
Karabak won a Grade 2 at Cheltenham at this time last year and has continued to perform at the highest level. He wasn't too far behind Voler La Vedette over this trip at Navan last month but was tailed off over 3m behind that winner at Leopardstown on Wednesday. Western Leader looked a very nice prospect when runner-up to Wayward Prince in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree last year and, though not seen since, his trainer is very adept at bringing one back from a long break. Benash has steadily improved and finished in front of two much better-fancied rivals when runner-up to the long odds-on Zaidpour at Navan. He had earlier finished six lengths behind MIKAEL D'HAGUENET over the minimum trip at Fairyhouse and is 8lb better off but the winner scored with something in hand and can continue his rehabilitation after a disastrous spell over fences by taking this.
Karabak (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders mainly 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden and no extra 3 out, eased, completely tailed off, last of 6, well behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) gd.
Mikael D'haguenet (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Made most, travelling well 2 out, headed at last and dropped 1L off leader early run-in, quickened smartly to regain lead inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, cheekily, won at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft beating Head Of The Posse (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Benash (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Raced last, close up entering straight, soon ridden, kept on without threatening to go 2nd before last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Zaidpour (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) hvy.
Western Leader (IRE) 5-1fav (11-4) Took keen hold, led, hit 7th, clear 2 out, soon hung right, headed flat, eased once beaten, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Wayward Prince (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Apr '10.
