SWEET WILL (NAP) began a winning run over hurdles in March before making a successful chasing debut at Kilbeggan a month later. He's been confined to timber subsequently, completing a double here and at Cheltenham in November, and reverts to fences on a 10lb lower mark with his rider claiming 5lb. He has more scope than Difficult Decision though the latter showed his liking for heavy ground when making all for a very convincing victory at Limerick for which he's been raised 10lb. He easily holds The Tack Room on that latest run while winning hurdler Ciao Bella hasn't really taken to fences. Mont Saint Vincent had a couple of runs over fences in the UK and could be better than we've seen in his two runs over hurdles for new connections.
Broken Ice (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Soon in touch, dropped to 9th after 7th, 8th after 3 out (normal 4 out), no impression, weakened before last, 8th of 16, dist behind Seddon (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp sft in Dec.
Difficult Decision (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Prominent and soon led, made most, joined briefly 7th, went on after next, pressed approaching straight, asserted and 4 lengths lead 2 out, kept on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec beating Made In The Woods (10-0) by 12l, 16 ran.
Ciao Bella (FR) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
The Tack Room 11-2 (11-11) Mid-division, mistake and badly hampered 5th, soon dropped towards rear, pushed along and no impression in moderate 6th approaching straight, went moderate 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 21 1/4l behind Difficult Decision (11-8) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Mont Saint Vincent (FR) 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, took closer order from 6 out, not fluent 4 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 18, 9 3/4l behind Young Dev (12-0) at Limerick 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Sweet Will (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders going well 3 out, went 2nd out wide at the last, quickened to lead and hung left run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Fine Casting (11-9) by 3 3/4l, 18 ran.
