held up towards rear, mistake 21st, mistake and went wrong next, pulled up and dismounted
held up in rear, well behind from 6th, very modest headway 4 out, no impression, tailed off
held up towards rear, behind when pulled up before 24th
tracked leaders, challenging when mistake 6 out, led 4 out, clear after 3 out until before last, stayed on well to draw clear again final 150 yards
held up in rear, mistake 21st, headway from 25th, went 2nd from 3 out, closed last, no impression flat
chased leaders on outside, mistake and unseated rider 21st
led until 1st, prominent, led 10th until next, ridden and outpaced from 25th, went 3rd after last
in touch until outpaced from 26th, pulled up before 6 out
led 1st, soon headed, tracked leaders, mistake 6 out, soon beaten
led after 1st, headed 10th, led next, headed 4 out, mistake 3 out, lost 2nd and no extra
mid-division, in touch from 4th, 6th and struggling when mistake 6 out
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 20th
In equine terms, Uncle Junior is almost of pensionable age nowadays but this type of race suits and he was only beaten a length-and-a-half by the undisputed star of the cross-country scene, Balthazar King, on unfavourable terms over course and distance last month. He has won over these obstacles in the past but looks closely matched with Any Currency on today's terms. Martin Keighley's charge was only beaten half-a-length in this race last year, when Pasquini Rouge, Imperial Circus and Keep On Track were behind, and should be thereabouts again despite a 13lb higher mark. Big Shu will have improved for his third at Punchestown and should give a good account but DUKE OF LUCCA looks to have a similar chance at the weights. He's acquitted himself well in this sphere over the last 12 months without winning but can put that right this afternoon.
Big Shu (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Held up, not fluent 4th (Ruby's Double), last at 6th, hampered 14th, soon closed to track leaders, 3rd at 21st, slight mistake 22nd, pushed along 3 out, pecked 2 out, no impression from before last, one pace,, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Love Rory (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) sft in Nov.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) In touch, dropped to last pair 8th, close up 18th, hit 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, effort when pecked next, ridden last, kept on, held flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Rare Bob (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, 7th of 20, 12l behind Trackmate (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct '13.
Any Currency (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) In touch, led 6th to 15th, tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace before last, 4th of 7, 6l behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Pencilhimin (9-13) at Navan 2m 7f hcap hdle Grd C sft in Nov.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) In rear, not always fluent, hampered 1st, behind 17th, modest headway 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 18, 21l behind Court By Surprise (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Carruthers 8-1 (11-8) Soon in touch, led 4th to 6th, chased leaders, outpaced 7 out, soon struggling, weakened from 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 48l behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Keep On Track (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, 2nd at 6th, left in lead at 14th, headed when slight stumble on bend approaching 2 out, every chance but kept on without matching winner run-in,, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Love Rory (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) sft in Nov.
Pasquini Rouge (FR) (10-12) 7th of 13 Estoril (11-4) at Le Pin Du Haras(FR) 3m 2f chs in Oct.
Orange Nassau (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Disputed lead until ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 13l behind Ballyoliver (11-8) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Imperial Circus (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 14th, weakened approaching 4 out, blundered next, 7th of 11, 23l behind Grandads Horse (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Full Jack (FR) 7-1 (10-0) Led, not fluent 9th, headed before 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 7, 19l behind First Fandango (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
