NAAS 13:45

All 8 ran. Hurdles: 10.

Time: 5m 9.9s Closing Sectional: (4.55f): 63.7s (110.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 99.9%

The fourth running of this novice hurdle since it received Grade 1-status and it proved an up-to-scratch renewal even if was a steadily-run affair for the most part, half of the field bidding to maintain unbeaten hurdling records, including the odds-on favourite Next Destination, who provided Willie Mullins with a sixth success in the race since 2009.

NEXT DESTINATION (IRE) completed the hat-trick to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles, perhaps the main feature of this success being the slickness of his jumping, in front sooner that his jockey might have anticipated given the ground he was gaining on his rivals, which may have caused him to idle somewhat in the latter stages, having to work harder than when beating the runner-up at Navan 3 weeks earlier; never far away, jumped fluently, led on bridle early in straight, ridden between last 2, edged left, reduced advantage close home but always holding on; probably hasn't stopped improving yet and seems sure to win more races, likely to be a leading contender if making it to the Cheltenham Festival, his trainer indicating that he'll receive entries for all 3 novice hurdles open to him.

CRACKING SMART (FR) ran well under the circumstances in first-time cheekpieces/refitted tongue strap, getting much closer to the winner than at Navan 3 weeks earlier despite ideally needing the emphasis more on stamina, especially at this trip; tracked pace, outpaced after 3 out, kept on well run-in; his running style looks tailor-made for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham in March and unsurprisingly we was promoted to joint-favouritism (along with Next Destination) with several bookmakers after this effort, though with his old adversary likely to have multiple entries for the Festival, Cracking Smart makes more appeal for that particular event, not least given the good record of those carrying his owners' silks in previous renewals.

DUC DES GENIEVRES (FR) winner of a 4-y-o event in France for E. Vagne on his only previous outing 8 months earlier, faced a very stiff task in this grade starting out for new connections, clearly stable second string to Next Destination, but he shaped with plenty of encouragement, just about last off the bridle here despite the presence of more experienced rivals, and he seems sure to progress and win more races; held up, went with enthusiasm, smooth headway early in straight, ridden approaching last, not quicken.

JETZ (IRE) had the run of the race but got no closer to Next Destination that at Navan 3 weeks earlier, his consistency nevertheless hard to knock; made running, not fluent second, ridden when headed early in straight, faded run-in.

SPEAK EASY failed to progress from last month's winning debut, beaten by more than the 4f longer trip, though he faced a very stiff task pitched into a Grade 1 at such an early stage of his career; held up, pushed along early in straight, struggling when not fluent 2 out.

BLOW BY BLOW (IRE) in first-time blinkers, was unsuited by the drop in trip, especially given the way the race developed; mid-division, took keen hold, ridden briefly before 4 out, headway under pressure after next, weakening when slow next.

MOYROSS lost his unbeaten record over hurdles though is better judged on previous form, unsuited by the relative emphasis on speed here (will benefit from return to around 3m); raced wide in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, beaten before next.

ATHENEAN (IRE) wasn't up to this better company, beaten by more than a lack of stamina over this 4f longer trip; in rear, untidy second, ridden around halfway, beaten before 2 out.