A strong Grade 1 that brought together the best Irish staying hurdlers, young and old, and it was one of the experienced runners that won, Teahupoo putting up a performance as good as any in his long career to win a seventh Grade 1. The pace here was overly strong, the time 12.8 seconds faster than the Pertemps qualifier later on the card, and it meant that a few of the runners failed to run their race.
was not sure certain to take his chance in this race, connections worried about the ground, but he made light of those concerns to run out a facile winner, beating Ballyburn much further than he had in the Hatton’s Grace. He travelled strongly and the race was over as a contest after the second last as he coasted to victory. His trainer has said he will be busier this season and he seems to be thriving on it.
was ridden with an eye to the next day, which will presumably by Cheltenham in March. Dropped out in rear, he stayed on steadily from two and should improve for this run. He is rising 11, but this was a good start to this season.
was closely matched with the winner on their Fairyhouse run but regressed from that outing without having obvious in race excuses. He was keen, but not as keen as he can be, made a mistake four out and was soon left behind after the second last.
won this race twice before but seems not to be the force of old. He was typically on and off the bridle during the race in a first-time visor and briefly rallied leaving the back straight only for his effort to peter out.
was disappointing back on what looked more suitable ground. He jumped and travelled well in the first half of the race but lost his position down the back straight and has something to prove now.
was an excellent third in this race as a four-year-old last season, and shaped better than the result this time, reverting from fences. He overdid it in the lead, going clear in a first-time visor, making numerous errors and is better than this.
raced off the pace and made little impact.
raced off the pace and make little impact, failing to come forward from his Hatton’s Grace run.
