LEOPARDSTOWN 15:30

Non Runners: FAUGHEEN (IRE). Hurdles: 8.

Time: 3m 42.5s Closing Sectional: (5.3f): 72.2s (102.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 110%, Betfair SP 100.1%

The withdrawal of Faugheen the previous afternoon left a quartet who'd clashed over C&D in December and the winner confirmed his superiority from that race without needing to run any better, the form falling short of the level shown by the likes of Faugheen and Hurricane Fly in recent seasons; the winner set a sound pace, chased closely by Nichols Canyon with the other 2 some way behind.

PETIT MOUCHOIR (FR) made it 2 C&D Grade 1 wins on the bounce, having the same rivals to beat as last time and scoring by a smaller margin, though it was probably as good a performance, taking into account he was pressed harder in front this time, and, while he's not yet in the top-class bracket, he has to be considered a major contender for what's shaping up to be a substandard Champion Hurdle; forced pace, jumped soundly in main, travelled well, ridden when untidy last, closed down run-in, stayed on well.

FOOTPAD (FR) finished much closer to Petit Mouchoir than he had in the Ryanair here last month, some of that obviously down to improvement on his part, though he was to an extent ridden to pick up the pieces having sat well off the duel between the winner and Nichols Canyon and whether he's suddenly a Champion Hurdle contender is up for question - the Betfair Hurdle looks a more realistic target, as even on a conservative reading of this form he's well treated from a BHA mark of 147; held up, headway between last 2, left second last, chased leader run-in, kept on.

IVANOVICH GORBATOV (IRE) ran his worst race of the season; in rear, outpaced 3 out, struggling after.

NICHOLS CANYON probably would've finished third had he not fallen at the last, like last time rather found wanting for pace up against the winner, nothing in the run to suggest he might turn the tables under similar conditions another time; chased leader, effort after 2 out, one paced in third and being closed on by Footpad when fell last.