rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, bad mistake 7th and lost place, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to dispute lead 2 out, headed before last, no extra in 3rd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, no impression from 5 out, soon behind
mid-division, closer enough in 5th when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
towards rear, headway 4 out, 7th next, soon pushed along, kept on same pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, close 3rd 3 out, travelling well in 3rd 2 out, improved to lead before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
rear of mid-division, some progress 4 out, ridden in 8th next, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th before 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, mistake 5th, no impression from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders in 6th, ridden and weakened from 4 out
always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
towards rear, some progress after 3 out, no impression, never a factor
mid-division, closer in 6th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace straight
led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, joined 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
Nearly Nama'd created a shock when landing this in 2015 but hasn't been in that sort of form lately and was a long way behind DOCTOR PHOENIX (NAP) at Cork. That was only the winner's second start for Gordon Elliott and, though up another 5lb, he looks certain to make a bold bid so gets the vote. The stable also run Squouateur, who would have taken a hand in the finish of the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but for unseating his rider three out, He's owned by J P McManus, who has four entered and Mark Walsh has chosen Anibale Fly, a high-class novice last season whose second to Disko in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown was a superb effort. Gwencily Berbas, a very smart hurdler, has taken his time to get his act together over fences and gained his first success over 3m1f at Roscommon so this is a huge drop in trip. La Bella Vida looks to have a nice weight on her handicap debut, especially with her rider's claim to help, and she can earn some place money at a fair price.
Anibale Fly (FR) 10-1 (11-8) In rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression approaching 4 out, no extra after 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 28l behind Disko (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Towards rear, progress to 4th at 6th, improved to 3rd 3 out, closed 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly at last, strongly pressed run-in, kept on best, all out, won at Cork 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating De Benno (9-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Some Plan (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mistake 1st, in touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next, 8th of 15, 22l behind Foxtail Hill (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent at 2nd, not fluent at 8th and reduced advantage, headed approaching straight, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Granny Biddy (10-10) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Gwencily Berbas (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 8th, ridden and went 2nd entering straight, progress to lead 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Roscommon 3m 1f Yielding - Soft in Jun beating Jimmy Two Times (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 14 ran.
Squouateur (FR) 5-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 3 out (usual 4 out), at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, not fluent at 1st and lost place, 3rd after 4th, progress to 2nd at 6th, no extra and dropped to 4th after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, 4th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Doctor Phoenix (11-10) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Elusive Ivy (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, closer 3 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Crazywork De Vassy (10-8) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Bel Ami De Sivola (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 4 out, pushed along and no impression after next, no extra, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Footpad (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before straight, weakened, last of 18, dist behind Like An Open Book (11-11) at Thurles 2m hcp Yielding in Nov.
Black Zero (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no extra after 2 out, 10th of 15, 22 1/4l behind Oscars Den (11-1) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
De Name Escapes Me (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, moderate 7th from 4th, moderate 5th from 11th, soon no impression, jumped right 2 out and at last, one pace, 4th of 10, 37 1/2l behind Monalee (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Bobbie's Diamond (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace from next, 5th of 12, 27 1/4l behind Tombstone (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Nov.
La Bella Vida (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-7) Prominent, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
De Benno (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Close up, led before 4th, ridden and headed at last, kept on well to strongly challenge leader run-in, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Doctor Phoenix (11-10) at Cork 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
