led, clear early, joined before 4 out, soon headed and weakened, tailed off
prominent, on terms 3 out, 2nd approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, travelled strongly to close up into straight, challenged from 2 out, ran on well under hands and heels run-in, just failed
waited with, improved into 3rd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, strongly pressed from before last, stayed on well run-in, all out
towards rear, closed into 4th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out
keen hold, prominent, on terms before 4 out, soon led, headed and no extra approaching 2 out
A cracking turnout for this fine prize. Muirhead, fifth behind Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last April, hasn't run since October where he won a minor chase before disappointing in a Grade 3. He's best over further on softer going but the brilliant chaser Captain Cee Bee goes on any ground and though beaten in three Grade 1's last season still has enough pace for this and should give a good account. JUMBO RIO won this as a four-year-old in 2009 and can take it again. He's in good form as he showed when successful at Limerick a couple of weeks ago and that should be a big advantage here. Jack Cool is progressing nicely over timber though he's run moderately on the Flat recently and the veteran Powerstation needs further.
Powerstation (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to lead 4 out, ridden and challenge 3 out, soon headed, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Oneeightofamile (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f hdl.
Jack Cool (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and pressed run-in, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr beating Action Master (9-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Jumbo Rio (IRE) 1-4fav (11-6) Waited with, closer order from 4 out, 3rd before straight, 2nd 2 out, led and pushed out to assert run-in, won at Limerick 2m hdl gd beating Takeyourcapoff (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
The Real Article (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged 2 out, soon led and asserted before last, kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m hdl gd in Jun beating Pires (11-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
Captain Cee Bee (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd at halfway, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one paced in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Big Zeb (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) gd in May.
De Valira (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Prominent, disputed lead from 3rd until headed approaching 3 out, dropped to 6th after 2 out, no impression approaching last, 8th of 11, 21l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in Apr '10.
Muirhead (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, mistake 5 out, ridden from next, 6th 3 out, no impression, 5th of 7, 14l behind Back Of The Pack (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f nov chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
