NAAS 13:42

All 7 ran.

Time: 5m 5.7s Closing Sectional: (4.55f): 66s (105.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 113%, Betfair SP 102.6%

Yet another Irish Grade 1 made up of representatives of only 3 yards and it might as well have been just one given Mullins saddled a 1-2-3 that hardly did much to remedy the ongoing lack of clarity in a novice hurdling scene lacking standouts on both sides of the Irish Sea, with 9/2 the current shortest-priced favourite in the ante-post markets across the 4 novice hurdles at the Festival.

READIN TOMMY WRONG (IRE) proved a different proposition compared to when scrambling home at Cork, belying his position as the biggest priced in the field never mind among his stable's quartet, a contrasting ride over a longer trip appearing key; held up, crept closer home turn, chased leader soon after 2 out, closing when mistake last, lost momentum, rallied to lead dying strides to maintain unbeaten record; he's hard to knock but it's still a stretch to believe he's the premier novice in his all-conquering yard.

ILE ATLANTIQUE (FR) has quickly shown himself even better than he was in bumpers, another fluent display all but seeing him justify his status as the pick of Townend, though he's been beaten twice as often as he's won in his short career so far and, with that in mind, seems an unlikely candidate to wind up one of the season's top-end novices; pressed leader, jumped well in main, jumped on second, quickened straight, tackled last, edged out only close home; he clearly stayed but his style suggests dropping back in distance - especially once tackling fences - won't count against him.

LECKY WATSON (IRE) failed to progress any more, finishing a place and a good few lengths worse than he did in Navan's Grade 2 novice; waited with, steady headway out wide from 3 out, effort between last 2, no further impression.

FIREFOX (IRE) had his winning streak ended without obvious excuses, bred to stay at least this far and right there as things began to take shape, possibly just not in the same form as when he'd seen off Ballyburn (ante-post favourite for Baring Bingham) at Fairyhouse; in touch early, went handy only circuit out, every chance entering straight, not quicken 2 out, lost third late on.

AN TOBAR was beaten by more than the step up to a trip he's bred to stay and, aged 7, could well have his sights turned to chasing sooner rather than later; close up early, settled in touch over circuit out, not fluent 4 out, lost place when driven from next, beaten between last 2.

CHAPEAU DE SOLEIL (IRE) can have a line put through this run; led until awkward second, lost place when all but came down next, no threat after; remains capable of better.

CROKE PARK (IRE) proved a let-down for all the betting made it clear he wasn't felt at the same level as his stablemate; close up, driven from 3 out, rallied until early in straight, soon beaten.