Snow on the morning of the race meant the surface was more testing than 24 hours before and borderline “soft” judged on times. This was one of several races during the week in which the Starter did not allow the runners to go when a clean start seemed likely, resulting in a standing and somewhat ragged departure.
It was a well-run race and should prove strong form at a pretty high level for novices, the winner’s final 4f of 56.32s close to par at 105.2% finishing speed and others behind relatively slow late on.
THE NEW LION (h158 here, 141+7 previously) made it 4 wins out of 4 over hurdles with easily his best effort to date, impressing with how he travelled held up, improving smoothly up the inner 2 out then switched outside but having to dig deep against a talented and game rival, getting up under pressure late on. This is pretty good form even by this race’s high standards and The New Lion does not have far to go to be genuine championship standard, the likelihood that he will be effective at 2m providing he gets a good pace and plenty of give like here.
THE YELLOW CLAY (h157 here, 154 previously) ran in this rather than the apparently easier Albert Bartlett at 3m and nearly pulled it off, registering a very smart performance. He tracked the pace, travelling and jumping well, before leading briefly 2 out, under pressure between the last 2 but digging in to lead for much of the run-in (despite edging right). He should stay further but is not slow when conditions are like this.
FINAL DEMAND (h152 here, 154 previously) did not quite match his Leopardstown form, which came in quite grueling conditions, but was far from disgraced and probably just behind the first 2 in any case. He raced in mid-field before improving 2 out edging ahead soon after but not fluent at the last and one paced thereafter. He promises to make a good novice chaser at 20f to 24f.
FORTY COATS (h143 here, 129 previously) improved plenty and still has potential at 3m+, held up in touch until comprehensively outpaced going to 3 out then making late gains as others wilted.
POTTERS CHARM (h140+ here, 146 previously) faced quite a stiff task and shaped better than the result in being close up for a long way (none too fluent mid-race), dropping away only after 2 out.
KAPPA JY PYKE (h130+ here, 136 previously) shaped better than the result and should confirm himself to be at least useful hereafter, coming from mid-field to have a chance approaching 2 out then weakening, this perhaps enough of a test at this stage.
KISS WILL (h120 here, 130 previously) faced a stiff task and was not altogether discredited, in touch until going to 3 out.
KEL HISTOIRE (h113 here, 136 previously) was less than fluent at times and struggling by halfway.
SIXMILEBRIDGE (h0 here, 144 previously) led/disputed for a long way, despite some less than fluent jumps, but was quickly beaten going to 2 out.
KAID D’AUTHIE (h0 here, 134 previously) made a couple of mistakes, notably a bad one at the first, and dropped away quickly after 4 out.
SUPERSUNDAE (h0 here, 146? previously) showed up well enough to 3 out but was quickly beaten thereafter and might not have been right.
