A glance through past winners suggests it takes a serious stayer to win this as they take no prisoners. A low weight is a must and last year's hero Whinstone Boy is rated a massive 20lb higher this time. Hangover and Siegemaster, who occupied the places, are much better off and should turn the tables. Dessie Hughes, who trains the latter, has a lively contender in TEN FIRES, who fits all the criteria. A winner over 2m6f at Thurles last February, he looks to have been aimed at this having run very well over an inadequate trip at Naas earlier this month, his first start since April. It's two years since Pomme Tiepy was landing Grade 2's at Leopardstown and Navan and he hasn't really made the expected progress though he looks set for a big run here. The ex-hunter Agus A Vic jumps well and stays forever but the biggest threat may emerge in the shape of Alpha Ridge, who has the vital touch of quality and will be better for a recent run at Punchestown, his first since September. Rocco's Hall was unfortunate to fall at the last when upsides the winner over 3m5f at Leopardstown on New Year's Day and providing he's no worse for the mishap he looks a serious contender.
Siegemaster (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Prominent, mistake 6th, 3rd halfway, soon lost place, no extra from 4 out, 8th of 12, 42l behind Pandorama (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m chs G1 (1) in Dec.
The Midnight Club (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Led, joined 10th, headed from 5 out, remained close up, no impression under pressure in 3rd from before straight, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Kempes (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Whinstone Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and strongly pressed from before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Barker (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy.
Ballytrim (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Towards rear, no impression from before 3 out, 17th of 24, 38l behind The Shepherd (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Dec.
Cane Brake (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra in moderate 6th before 2 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Four Chimneys (9-11) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Miss Mitch (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Streets Of Gold (10-5) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-150 hvy in Oct, 13 ran.
Telenor 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, fell 10th, in a race won by Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr, 26 ran.
Alpha Ridge (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, 2nd halfway, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, left 2nd after 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Royal De La Thinte (11-11) at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec.
Pomme Tiepy (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, 13th after 2 out, stayed on well to go moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 28, 9l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Hangover (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, mistake 7 out, no extra from 4 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec, 28 ran.
Selection Box (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, close up halfway, disputed 4 out, ridden in 2nd 3 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 18, 3 1/2l behind Sole Witness (11-7) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec.
Stewarts House (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent on outer, 3rd after halfway, 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, moderate 3rd and no impression when slight mistake last, weakened, 12th of 28, 23l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Agus A Vic (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up, progress after 4 out, 9th after 2 out, ridden and stayed on, 4th of 28, 10l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Bella Mana Mou (IRE) 40-1 (11-1) Held up in last, almost slipped up before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 27l behind Rick (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl hvy.
Hume River (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, led or disputed from 4th, headed before 3 out, driven along and dropped to 6th 2 out, no extra and weakened, 7th of 15, 48l behind Droim Toll (10-4) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140.
Will Jamie Run (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Prominent, disputed lead 4th and 5th, 3rd 6 out, ridden and lost place 4 out, 8th 2 out, kept on same pace, 10th of 28, 18l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Cara Mara (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened from before 3 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Barker (11-12) at Tramore 2m 5f lst chs (1) hvy.
Rocco's Hall (IRE) 6-1fav (10-11) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, 3rd 4 out, headway travelling well to dispute lead 2 out, just niggled along and joined by winner when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Droim Toll (10-4) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140, 15 ran.
Ten Fires (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, improved to narrow lead 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed last, kept on run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Imaalhall (10-7) at Naas 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 sft.
Smoking Aces (IRE) 4-1fav (10-2) Held up in touch, 8th 4 out, no extra from next, 8th of 10, 23l behind Askthemaster (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec.
Hold The Pin (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Never a factor, 14th of 19, 29l behind Across The Bay (9-13) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft.
