held up in last, went 4th at 11th, 3rd 4 out, ridden in 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led, jumped left 5 out and joined next, ridden from 3 out, bad mistake and headed 2 out, kept on well again from last, just failed
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 11th and dropped to last, fell next
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd at 10th, dropped to 4th 4 out, soon ridden, no impression from before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd at 10th, disputed lead 4 out, ridden and led from 2 out, strongly pressed after last, kept on under pressure run-in, all out
Darenjan is inconsistent and hasn't won since April of last year when he landed a handicap chase at Thurles from exactly the same mark. CROSS APPEAL (NAP) has gone even longer without a victory but he's mainly competed at a much higher level and now looks capable of winning from this sort of mark so gets the vote. His stablemate Thegreatjohnbrowne once looked a potential champion but injuries have curtailed his appearances and he's shown nothing in three starts this year. Croghill Tuppence won a beginners chase at Kilbeggan in July though didn't improve on that when returning there last month and though Down Under produces the occasional big effort it's generally on ground with plenty of give.
Darenjan (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Led, headed before 4th, slight stumble on bend after next, dropped to 4th 4 out, 7th approaching straight, no impression, 8th of 11, 17l behind Ask Vic (10-6) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Sep.
Cross Appeal (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, on terms 7th, led 5 out, joined 2 out, headed and 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Loosen My Load (11-0) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Sep.
Croghill Tuppence (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up early, 5th halfway, progress and close up 3 out, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden in 4th, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Dedoctorsdaughter (10-5) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Sep.
Thegreatjohnbrowne (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out where 5th, soon no impression, no extra and eased from before last, 8th of 11, 47l behind Cassells Rock (10-3) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Down Under (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) Soon mid-division, 8th approaching 5 out, not fluent 3 out, no impression from before 2 out, moderate 6th at last, kept on run-in, 5th of 15, 11l behind Golden Kite (10-10) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gd in Jun.