mid-division early, chased leaders from 6th, 4th halfway, improved to dispute before straight, led 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on strongly
prominent early, slow 2nd, soon chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, weakened and pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, 8th halfway, progress into 3rd before straight, mistake and ridden 3 out, no impression next, left 2nd last, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed before straight, soon no extra
held up towards rear early, mid-division halfway, progress into 4th before straight, ridden 3 out, no impression next, left moderate 3rd last, lost 3rd close home
rear of mid-division, progress into 8th after 5 out, ridden next, no impression entering straight, moderate 4th last, kept on to 3rd close home
always towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and no impression 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead and dispute before straight, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra in 2nd when bad mistake and unseated rider last
mid-division early, progress into 6th halfway, ridden 4 out, no extra before straight, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra before straight
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, fell 9th
towards rear, pulled up before 9th
mid-division best, ridden and no impression after 5 out, weakened and pulled up before last
chased leaders, fell 2nd
chased leaders early, mid-division in 9th halfway, ridden and no extra 5 out, weakened and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division early, progress to chase leaders from 3rd, 5th halfway, ridden 6 out, no extra next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
One favourite has won this in the past 10 years. Willie Mullins has been successful in two of the past three years with On His Own and will be hoping to make it three with Djakadam. He hasn't had a great deal of experience but looked potentially top class when landing the Grade 2 Killiney Novices' Chase at Leopardstown a year ago. He started favourite for the Hennessy at Newbury in November but lacked the experience for that and should make a bold bid to defy his big weight in this lesser event. Gallant Oscar is another with little experience in tough competition but looks to have been saved for a crack at this by trainer Tony Martin. His jumping has let him down on occasions but he looks well handicapped if negotiating the obstacles without mishaps. THE JOB IS RIGHT (NAP) is a very progressive chaser making his handicap debut and he stayed on strongly despite making mistakes when scoring at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. His earlier run in the Paddy Power points to his chances and he can reward each-way support. A P McCoy travels over to ride Groody Hill, who pulled up in the race a year ago. He was on board when Christy Roche's charge went well for a long way in the Paddy Power and it will be a surprise if he isn't in the hunt here. Roche also runs Sword Fish, who was always travelling nicely when scoring at Fairyhouse last time and will be staying on at the finish when others have had enough. Jessica Harrington's French acquisition Sadler'sflaure ran a cracking race on just his second start for the yard at Punchestown last month and could prove very well handicapped.
Djakadam (FR) 5-1fav (10-11) Mid-division, crept closer approaching 17th, pushed along in 5th before 4 out, ridden and no impression when blundered 2 out, weakened into poor 8th when blundered last, 8th of 19, 28l behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Make A Track (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th early, collided with wing at 4th, 3rd from 7th, 5th before straight, chasing leaders and no impression 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Page Turner (10-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcap ch in Dec.
My Murphy (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders for most, mid-divison briefly halfway, 7th 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 9th of 26, 24l behind Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec.
Sadler'sflaure (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Led, 2nd after 4th, 5th after 6th, 6th 5 out, jumped into lead 3 out, narrowly headed before 2 out, kept on but not match winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Grand Jesture (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp chs in Dec.
Gallant Oscar (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden into 6th entering straight, stayed on into 4th last, kept on well run-in to 2nd closing stages, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Sort It Out (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Goonyella (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent and chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 7th entering straight, no extra before last, kept on one pace, 7th of 26, 14l behind Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led 1st, soon well clear, jumped well, slightly reduced lead 5 out, came back to chasing pack from before last, headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Portrait King (11-6) at Punchestown 3m 1f Am hcp ch sft.
The Job Is Right 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, mistake 6 out, improved to dispute 5 out, ridden in 2nd and mistake 2 out, under pressure and no impression on leader before last, stayed on to challenge last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages, won at Punchestown 3m 1f beg chs sft in Dec beating As De Ferbet (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Groody Hill (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Prominent and chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra before last, 10th of 26, 27l behind Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec.
Toon River (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led, joined and not fluent 4 out, just headed before next, almost back on terms before 2 out where not fluent, 3rd before straight, no impression and one pace approaching last, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Lean Araig (11-10) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl sft.
Like Your Style (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Held up, slightly slow 6th, 6th after 7th, 5th 3 out, 4th approaching straight, almost on terms 2 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Character Actor (10-12) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp chs (10yo+) in Dec.
Ipsos Du Berlais (FR) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division early, 9th halfway, ridden 3 out, no extra after 2 out, 11th of 26, 27l behind Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec.
Vasco Du Mee (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Towards rear early, soon in chasing pack well off pace, chased clear leader from 4 out, moderate 3rd 3 out, disputed 2nd at last, soon no extra and one pace, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Portrait King (11-6) at Punchestown 3m 1f Am hcp ch sft.
Jadanli (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Led, jumped slightly left at times, pressed when fell 3 out, in a race won by Bothair Clei (10-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs hvy, 5 ran.
Oscars Business (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th after 8th, dropped towards rear and not fluent 9th, no impression from 4 out, eased before straight, 8th of 13, 42l behind Ravished (10-11) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl hvy in Dec.
Sword Fish (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 4 out, ridden after 2 out, led after last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs sft beating Thelobstercatcher (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Thelobstercatcher 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, progress into 5th 5 out, improved to dispute led 3 out, ridden from next, headed after last kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Sword Fish (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs sft.
