tracked leaders, close 4th travelling well entering straight, 2nd when mistake 2 out, led on-bridle before last, stayed on strongly run-in, not extended
tracking leaders when unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, left in lead 4 out, joined and ridden after 3 out, soon headed and weakened, no impression disputing 4th when fell last
always behind, pulled up quickly after 3 out, dismounted
always towards rear
mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd from 2 out, kept on run-in to go 2nd close home
always prominent, led after 3 out, soon ridden, headed and no extra after 2 out, dropped to 3rd close home
soon led, well clear from 4th, reduced advanatge next, headed 6th and weakened rapidly, behind when pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out
rear of mid-division, progress into 7th 3 out, kept on one paced
towards rear, progress from 4 out, 6th after next, soon no impression
always towards rear, moderate 8th 3 out, no impression
prominent, led from 6th, joined when fell next
Shane Rock's debut second at Downpatrick in October looks the best form among those with previous chasing experience but this is all about whether BLACKSTAIRMOUNTAIN takes to the larger obstacles. Willie Mullins' six-year-old won the Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last year and looked all over the winner of the Grade 2 Irish Strawberry Hurdle at Fairyhouse in April until weakening quickly close home. Probably over the top when last in the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown subsequently, he should take high rank among this year's novice chase crop. Highdownhill won twice over hurdles in the summer and Great Value scored at Punchestown in May but both may need today's experience.
Blackstairmountain (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Always in rear, ridden and no impression before 2 out where mistake, weakened, last of 6, 43l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) gd in May.
Der Spieler (GER) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mainly 3rd, ridden entering straight, no extra in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 13l behind Savello (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Nov.
Good Luck Chuck (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Disputed early, soon chased leader, lost place before 6 out, soon no impression, 9th of 11, 42l behind An Cathaoir Mor (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Jan '10.
Great Value (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden and no extra before 2 out, weakened, 10th of 14, 27l behind Lucky Spring (11-0) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Nov.
Highdownhill (NZ) 7-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden into moderate 5th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 30l behind Second Glance (10-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gs in Aug.
Lash It On (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 8th of 15, well behind Rubert (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs sft in Nov.
Marble House (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Soon led, slight peck 6 out, soon headed, 2nd 4 out, no extra after 3 out, 9th of 15, 45l behind Lismakeery (11-12) at Wexford 2m 1f beg chs sft in Oct.
Sensational Sema (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Never a factor, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Popcorn (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs sft in Nov.
Shane Rock 25-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 5 out, soon led, headed from 3 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 21l behind Call The Police (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs sft in Nov.
Soviet Trooper (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, no extra from before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 19th of 20, well behind Cass Bligh (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl sft in Mar '10.
Whats On The Menu (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Soon raced in 3rd, 2nd from 4 out, on terms briefly next, 2nd again and struggling from 2 out, dropped to moderate 3rd last until kept on to regain 2nd run-in, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Jim Will Fix It (11-11) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f nov hdl gd in May.
La Sarrazine (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no impression from 4 out, 7th of 11, 47l behind Knockfierna (11-7) at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs sft in Nov.
Susie Van Hall (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 18th of 22, 40l behind Adropaupep (11-2) at Cork 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Aug.
Victrix Gale (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division best, no danger and kept on same pace from before 6 out, 7th of 16, well behind Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Ainm Spartacus (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by The Lady Granuaile (10-12) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Fourth Class (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, no extra from 3 out, weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Gift Of Dgab (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs gd in Nov.
Harbour Two (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Towards rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Call The Police (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs sft in Nov, 18 ran.
The Big Mosquito (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no extra when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 22l behind Ballysteen (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
