waited with at steady pace until closed up 4th and soon 2nd, led before straight, asserted approaching last, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
tracked leaders at steady pace, went 2nd into straight, slight mistake 2 out, one pace approaching last
waited with at steady pace, soon in rear, slight mistake 4 out, no impression from next
disputed lead at steady pace, led after 4th and not always fluent jumping after, headed before straight, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra, one pace
disputed lead at steady pace, slight mistake 4th, soon headed and tracked leaders after, 4th into straight, soon no extra, slight mistake 2 out, one pace
Espoir D'allen puts his unbeaten record on the line after winning a bumper in France and completing a double over hurdles. He had plenty to spare over Kuraka at Down Royal last time and though the latter has let the form down subsequently it was still the performance of a smart young hurdler. MITCHOUKA was just run out of it when making his hurdling debut at Thurles but showed the benefit with facile victories here and at Punchestown. Like his main rival he's already to the fore in the Triumph Hurdle market and is taken to come out on top here. Randalls Ur Poet was well behind the selection here last month and Vanderbilt looks outclassed but Khudra looks a nice recruit after winning a Curragh handicap in the summer.
Espoir D'Allen (FR) 2-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge and slight mistake 2 out, travelled well to lead approaching last, stayed on well, very easily, won at Down Royal 2m sft in Nov beating Kuraka (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Mitchouka (FR) 1-4fav (11-7) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, travelling smoothly and led from early straight, soon asserted, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Famous Milly (10-7) by 15l, 11 ran.
Khudha (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Made all, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon asserted and stayed on well final furlong, eased close home, won at Curragh 1m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jun beating Eagle Spirit (9-9) by 12l, 5 ran.
Randalls Ur Poet (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd at 3rd, led from 6th and soon went on, edged left and reduced lead from before 2 out where slight mistake, headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 19, 5l behind Mastermind (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
Vanderbilt (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened, last of 14, 17 1/2l behind Clare Island (9-8) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
