chased clear leader and 5th halfway, pushed along to go 3rd before 3 out, no impression next where pecked on landing, kept on under pressure to close last, no impression final 50 yards
towards rear well off pace, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace to go moderate 4th run-in
chased clear leader and 6th halfway, closer 4 out and ridden approaching next, no impression in 4th before 2 out, no extra run-in
always rear, ridden along after 3rd, trailing from 5 out, tailed off
chased clear leader in 3rd, no extra after 4 out and moderate 8th before 2 out
chased clear leader in 4th, closer 4 out and went 2nd next, no impression on winner approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure to close last, no impression final 50 yards
chased clear leader and 7th halfway, no extra from 3 out and moderate 7th when mistakes final 2 fences
made all and soon clear, reduced advantage 4 out, asserted again approaching 2 out where slight mistake, pressed early run-in and kept on well under pressure closing stages
chased clear leader in 2nd, slight mistake 5th, closer 4 out but dropped to 4th next, no extra in 6th before 2 out
Mad Brian won a novice chase at Killarney in May and Undertheboardwalk got off the mark over fences at Wexford in June. The latter is 9lb higher today but has a recent good effort over hurdles under his belt. Barneys Honour is 22lb higher than his win at Navan early in the year but his latest third at Punchestown suggests he's capable of scoring off his current mark. BACK OFF MATE has the more recent form with victory in a beginners' event at Wexford only last week. Arthur Moore's charge makes more appeal than the other recent winner, Decade Player, and is taken to follow-up.
Mad Brian (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Waited with behind leaders, closed and challenged 2 out, on terms last, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs sft in May beating Toner D'Oudairies (11-10) by 1l, 5 ran.
Undertheboardwalk (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Settled towards rear, headway 4 out and went 6th before 2 out, ridden and tried to challenge last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Baresi (10-13) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl in Oct.
Barneys Honour (IRE) 10-3fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway into 8th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th 2 out, went 3rd from last, stayed on well close home, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Twinlight (11-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs hvy in Apr.
Seriatim (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, dropped to rear of mid-division after halfway, no threat from 4 out and behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Goonyella (10-0) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Apr, 19 ran.
Majestic Oak (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Soon led, headed 3 out, 4th next, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 14l behind Rolling Rocket (10-12) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 in Apr.
Protaras (USA) 14-1 (10-11) Settled mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden entering straight, mistake 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 16l behind King Vuvuzela (10-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gf in Oct.
Back Off Mate (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, progress 3 out, went 3rd and ridden next, led before last where jumped right, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs in Oct beating Getittogether (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Decade Player (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Made all, ridden before last, kept on well closing stages, won at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp chs 0-109 gd in Oct beating Musawama (11-1) by 6l, 8 ran.
Araglen Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, keen hold, 3rd approaching 5 out, 2nd 3 out, no impression last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Pat Garrett (11-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp chs 0-102 sft in Oct.
Obispo (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division and 6th halfway, pushed along in 7th after 4 out, no threat from next and kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 20l behind Shrapnel (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m beg chs gf in Oct.
