rear of mid-division, 5th before 7th, progress to 3rd before 2 out, no impression on principals, ridden and kept on same pace before last
rear, 7th before 7th, no impression in moderate 6th before 2 out, kept on after 2 out, never on terms
towards rear, 6th before 7th, niggled along after 4 out, no impression, never a factor, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 2nd, not fluent at 4th, took closer order halfway, challenged 4 out, led narrowly before 3 out where not fluent, headed and no impression on winner before 2 out
mid-division, bumped rival at 2nd, 4th before 7th where not fluent, no impression on leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out
in touch, bumped and slight mistake at 2nd, 3rd to clear leader at 3rd, took closer order halfway, closed 4 out, led and asserted travelling well before 2 out, kept on well, easily
rear, 8th before 7th, no impression before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, never a factor
led, increased advantage before 2nd where mistake, soon clear, reduced lead halfway, not fluent at 7th, pressed 4 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
HONEYSUCKLE has been here six times and won the lot. She had a fight on her hands to win this last year from Ronald Pump but once again showed her determination and it's difficult to see her being beaten after following up in the three major championship races at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown. Saldier was twice well beaten by the champion hurdler last season but has improved of late winning the Galway Hurdle and a Tipperary Grade 3 from Darasso. Stormy Ireland ended her last campaign in brilliant form crowned by a victory in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown but Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle winner Abacadabras has it all to do against the selection on their runs at Leopardstown and Punchestown last season.
Abacadabras (FR) 14-1 (12-0) In touch in rear of mid-division, closer in 5th 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace straight, 4th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Honeysuckle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Darasso (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up in last, closer in 4th and pushed along when slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd when left 2nd 2 out, disputed lead before last, led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov beating Sire Du Berlais (11-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Latest Exhibition (IRE) 9-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, headway entering straight and 3rd 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, dropped to 4th run-in, kept on one pace, 4th of 28, 5l behind Freewheelin Dylan (10-8) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp (1) Yielding in Apr.
Ronald Pump (10-10) 5th of 9, dist behind L'autonomie (10-5) at Auteuil 3m 1f sft in May.
Saldier (FR) 4-7fav (11-3) Made all, 5 lengths lead halfway and went further clear 4 out, greatly reduced advantage after 3 out, pushed along and 1 length lead when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and pressed, asserted after last, stayed on well, won at Tipperary 2m (1) Yielding in Oct beating Darasso (11-3) by 3l, 6 ran.
Honeysuckle 4-7fav (11-7) Tracked leaders on outer, improved to lead 2 out, clear and pushed along entering straight, slow jump at last and briefly strongly pressed early run-in, rallied and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Sharjah (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Skyace (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, dropped to moderate last at last, no extra, last of 4, 27l behind Queens Brook (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Yielding in Nov.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 2-13fav (9-4) Led and soon clear, reduced lead of 2 lengths over 4f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed early final furlong, no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Kalapour (9-9) at Down Royal 1m 5f mdn gf in Jun.
Sams Profile 9-4 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, close up before 2 out, mistake last, soon no extra, weakened and eased, 10th of 11, dist behind Sixshooter (12-0) at Galway 2m 7f sft in Oct.
Sire Du Berlais (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 6th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, 4th when hampered and left 3rd 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Darasso (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
