made all, soon clear and 15 lengths lead halfway, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and 1 length lead after 2 out, kept on well run-in
chased clear leader, moderate 2nd halfway, closer 3 out, pushed along and dropped to 4th 2 out, soon no impression, no extra run-in
chased clear leader, moderate 3rd halfway, closer 3 out and went 2nd before next, soon pushed along and slight mistake last, 3rd and no extra run-in
towards rear and well off pace, slight mistake 3rd, 4th and mistake 4 out, closer next and 3rd 2 out, went 2nd and ridden early run-in, kept on one pace, no impression on winner closing stages
chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, 5th and pushed along after 4 out, no extra in straight
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra from early straight
HUNTERS YARN was undoubtedly disappointing in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham after completing a double in a Navan Listed contest when American Mike was seven lengths behind. He improved after being beaten a length by Nucky Johnson in a Punchestown maiden though the winner has hardly stood still, landing a Naas novices' event in very good style 10 days ago when having his first start for four months. None of the remainder are dismissed in what looks a competitive renewal.
Hercule Du Seuil (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent at 2nd, headed before 3rd, 2nd halfway, not fluent at 5th, soon 4th, lost place and under pressure after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 2m (1) sft in Dec.
American Mike (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Tracked leading pair until 4 out, chased leaders, wide and weakened home turn, 7th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Impaire Et Passe (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Amir Kabir 6-4fav (11-7) Mid-division, 4th after 3rd, took closer order at 4th, 3rd after 4 out, closed 3 out, travelled well to lead narrowly before 2 out where bad mistake, driven out run-in, won at Listowel 2m gd in Sep beating Flaming Moon (11-7) by 3l, 7 ran.
Hunters Yarn (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway final bend, no impression before last, 12th of 24, 13 3/4l behind Faivoir (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Joyeux Machin (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Raced on inside, behind most of way, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Nucky Johnson (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division early, moderate 4th halfway, slight mistake 5th, progress into 2nd entering straight, ridden to close on leader before last, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Naas 2m Yielding - Soft in Mar beating Doyen Ta Win (11-3) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Arctic Bresil 9-2 (11-8) Never travelled in rear, outpaced and struggling 3 out, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
