mid-division, mistake 26th, outpaced 3 out, 8th and no impression when left in lead before last, ridden and stayed on flat, lucky
in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, 7th and outpaced when took wrong course before last, recovered and eventually completed
towards rear, headway 29th, chased leaders 2 out, 6th and in touch when took wrong course before last, retraced steps to take 4th
towards rear, headway 3 out, 5th and outpaced when took wrong course and brought down before last
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, chased leader when took wrong course and crashed through rail and fell before last
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, 3rd and driven when took wrong course before last, recovered and eventually completed
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression when left 2nd before last, ridden and stayed on flat, always held
behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off when left 3rd before last
tracked leader, led 7th, driven 2 lengths clear when took wrong course and pulled up before last
led to 7th, tracked leader, outpaced 2 out, in touch when took wrong course before last, recovered and eventually completed
Uncle Junior held off the admirably tough cross-country specialist Garde Champetre by a couple of lengths over C&D last month. The pair meet on identical terms today so the placings should be confirmed but the pair may struggle to get the better of third DOUBLE DIZZY again. Bob Buckler's gelding was still in the lead at the last that day and is now 10lb better off with the first two. He's yet to run a bad race on this course and deserves another chance to notch a win. Willie Mullins, responsible for Uncle Junior, also runs Punchestown winner Scotsirish though the latter's stamina will be tested over this trip. A New Story is a previous C&D winner but is now in the veteran stage, though still preferred to the headstrong Balthazar King who may find this too tough a task.
Garde Champetre (FR) 10-11fav (11-8) Prominent early, tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, slipped and switched right approaching 2 out, closed last, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) fm in Nov.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged last, soon led and strongly pressed, in command close home, won at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) fm in Nov beating Garde Champetre (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Scotsirish (IRE) 9-10fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 5th 5 out, good headway into 2nd 2 out, smooth progress to lead last where left clear, kept on well, easily, won at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) sft in Nov beating Tally Em Up (10-6) by 14l, 16 ran.
A New Story (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, some headway 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 11th of 20, 33l behind Micks (10-8) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Nov.
Balthazar King (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Mid-division, mistake and hampered 16th, well beaten 4 out, 12th of 18, 39l behind Carruthers (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov.
Double Dizzy 13-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until ridden after 4 out, one pace and no impression after next, weakened last, 4th of 7, 17l behind Battlecry (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Chamirey (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 5th at 18th, no extra from 5 out, weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Scotsirish (11-9) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) sft in Nov.
Hennessy (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Led, headed 9th, lost 2nd next, went 2nd again 12th until weakened on long run to 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Lockstown (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Wedger Pardy (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 4th until 17th, struggling 23rd, behind 25th, 6th of 8, 46l behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) fm in Nov.
De Danu (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Prominent, 3rd halfway, led after 16th, driven along and headed before 3 out, mistake 2 out and soon no extra, weakened, 6th of 16, well behind Scotsirish (11-9) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) sft in Nov.
Saddlers Storm (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Rcd 4th, 3rd 3out, 2nd 2out, chall but not get to wnr, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Seabass (11-4) at Ballinaboola 3m ire ptp sft in Nov.
