prominent, mistake 6th, led or disputed lead from halfway, headed early straight, ridden and no impression on winner after 2 out, 3rd and no extra run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, slow 7th and detached when mistake 9th, weakened, completely tailed off
led, headed after 2nd, remained prominent and led or disputed from 6th, slight mistake and headed 9th, 3rd 4 out and soon pushed along, 4th and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra
mid-division, 6th halfway, 5th 4 out and no impression approaching next, slight mistake 2 out, no extra, kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, 3rd and pushed along when slight mistake next, went 2nd at last, ridden and kept on one pace, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to dispute lead 9th, led when slight mistake 3 out, travelled well before next, pushed along and drew clear approaching last, kept on well, easily
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 2nd, headed 6th and 3rd halfway, slight mistake 7th and lost place when mistake next, soon weakened, completely tailed off
towards rear, mistake 9th, 6th and pushed along approaching straight, 5th after 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor, slight mistake 5th, 7th halfway, slight mistake 9th, no extra 4 out and behind when pulled up before next
Josies Orders is a regular on the cross-country circuits and likely to be warming up for a crack at Punchestown next month, a race he won last year. DEBUCHET was impressive on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse before a good run in an Ascot handicap. This is no easy task but he can get back to winning ways. Great Khan has yet to win in eleven starts over fences but has finished runner-up in three of his last four and can reach the frame again. Mount Hanover was having only his third start over fences when chasing home Punches Cross at Wexford in October and is well suited by testing conditions. Minella Till Dawn has his jumping problems but wouldn't be out of this with a clear round.
Debuchet (FR) 7-4fav (11-7) Led, headed 3rd, led again 6th, headed next, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner last, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Greaneteen (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Josies Orders (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Always behind, lost touch 21st, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Mount Hanover 9-4fav (10-9) Led, joined approaching straight, soon regained lead until headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Punches Cross (10-10) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Oct.
Noble Emperor (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Soon behind in rear, pushed along at stages, never a factor, jumped left 4 out, pulled up after next, at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Great Khan (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistakes 3rd and 5th, 2nd halfway, disputed from 6th, led 3 out, joined entering straight, narrow lead before last where landed awkwardly, ridden and headed 100 yards out, no extra, 2nd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Halsafari (11-3) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Minella Till Dawn (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd from 8th, switched right after 3 out, soon one pace and moderate 4th when fell last, at Navan 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Sonny B (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Soon chased leaders, 3rd from 7th, travelling smoothly before straight, soon not much room briefly, on terms before 2 out, soon headed and pecked slightly, no extra and one pace from before last, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Cappacurry Zak (11-5) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Uaintseenothingyet 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, mid-division 6 out, slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no extra, pulled up before 2 out, at Cork 3m hcp sft in Mar.
The Informer (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, not fluent and unseated rider 2nd, at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
