Khair Bar mid-division, 6th 3 out, smooth headway to go 2nd approaching straight, led after 2 out, soon clear, eased run-in, easily

Covie Lad towards rear, 13th and ridden after 4 out, 6th 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on well run-in, nearest at finish

Ballinabearna led, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner, dropped to 3rd close home

Glen Glass chased leaders, 7th 3 out, 4th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace

The Black Lion tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, 2nd briefly after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, soon no extra

Mrs Chancy in rear of mid-division, kept on from 2 out without reaching leaders

Pippas Dream chased leaders, 5th approaching 3 out, 6th and no extra 2 out

Misbucami tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 3 out, 7th and no extra before 2 out

Tash McGarry mid-division, no impression from 3 out

Spice Trail always behind

Whatsittoyou mid-division, no extra from 3 out

Yalla chased leaders, lost touch after 4 out, weakened

Windsor Minnow always behind

Si Si Senor mid-division, lost touch after 3 out, weakened

Croughanamoler always behind

Trixie always behind, completely tailed off

Helvic Head tracked leader, close 2nd when fell 3 out

Despite disappointing in his two previous hurdle outings, The Black Lion was sent off one of the best supported favourites of the day, but he again let his supporters down behind an impressive winner in KHAIR BAR.

Making his first start over hurdles, Khair Bar clearly took to the jumping game straight away as, after travelling in mid-division, he improved his position after jumping the third-last and, after joining the leader Ballinabearna into the straight, was sent about his business by Michael Darcy to win in very good fashion. On the basis of this, he looks a hurdler very much worth keeping on the right side.

Covie Lad crept into contention after jumping the third-last, but he was still in fifth position turning into the straight and could never get in any sort of a serious blow. However, he was doing his best work at the end and claimed the runner-up spot on the line. A winner of a point-to-point last April, this was a decent effort on his first run under Rules.

Glen Glass could never get on terms with the principals here and, following a slow jump at the third-last, was one paced.

The Black Lion travelled well into the straight before emptying almost straight away. He ran as if something may have been amiss.

Helvic Head looked another likely to get involved in the finish when travelling well at the head of affairs, but he crashed on landing after appearing to jump the third-last perfectly well.[RC]

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