Pace shouldn't be too much of a problem for NEWMILL and the former Champion Chaser is well suited by the conditions of this race. He's obviously not as good as he was as he approaches his teenage years but it's perhaps a sign of the times that his only later engagement is in a Leopardstown handicap over timber in January. He is set to receive 4lb from the promising four-year-old Wee Giant, a comfortable maiden winner here in September from today's rival Karkari. Willie Mullins' charge has run well on the Flat subsequently and looks a nice prospect. Henro Boy has yet to transfer his bumper form to hurdles while Heavenly Blues may just need a run to put him straight after an absence of over two years.
Karkari (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, soon behind, pulled up before next, in a race won by Jacks Island (9-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-109 in Nov, 12 ran.
Wee Giant (USA) 5-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd after 2 out, challenged approaching last, ridden to lead on run-in, kept on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Karkari (11-2) by 5l, 15 ran.
Ebony Shades (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 22nd of 23, 36l behind Shazand (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-116 gd in Dec '07.
Heavenly Blues (GER) 5-2fav (11-6) Soon led, headed after 7th, remained prominent, no extra straight, 5th of 12, 30l behind Powerstation (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl hvy in Oct '08.
Henro Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, progress 4 out, 8th next, 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 25, 3 1/2l behind Medical Card (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Hide The Evidence (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Refused to race, in a race won by Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec '09, 14 ran.
Newmill (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, keen early, slight mistake 3rd, rapid headway to lead after 8th, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, stayed on weakened from last, won at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Snowy Morning (11-3) by 3l, 7 ran.
Sadler's Cove (FR) 50-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 40l behind Fair Spin (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
