chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 5 out
made all, ridden 3 out, drifted left approaching 2 out where jumped right, drifted left before last where jumped right, kept on well run-in
mid-division early, soon towards rear, mistake 5th, ridden and no impression 7 out, kept on one pace
soon mid-division, mistake 5th, headway into 8th 4 out, closer in 6th entering straight, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, progress into 7th 6 out, ridden and no extra 4 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 7 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, progress into 6th 4 out, closer 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression winner in 2nd last where slight mistake, no extra run-in, lost 3rd close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 6 out, weakened next, tailed off
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 6 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden and no impression 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 6 out, weakened and tailed off
prominent early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra before straight
chased leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd entering straight, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on to 2nd run-in, no impression winner
chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden 4 out, no extra before straight, pulled up before 3 out
prominent and close up, 2nd halfway, ridden entering straight, mistake and no extra 3 out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, ridden and no extra 6 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 7 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th entering straight, 2nd and hampered 2 out, under pressure in 4th last, kept on same pace run-in to 3rd close home
Willie Mullins has four entered here including the 2012 winner On His Own, who is 17lb higher and has been alternating between hurdles and fences. Vesper Bell has failed to complete in his last two starts but his earlier run when just failing to concede 18lb to Goonyella over 3m6f at Punchestown points to his chances. Our Junior has been performing exclusively in cross-country races but is very well handicapped and could prove the pick of the quartet as Balnaslow is still a novice. Lookoutnow has come in for sustained support in the ante-post market and looks to have been laid out for the race. He scored twice on the track at this time a year ago and must be on the short-list. Los Amigos is progressing at a rate of knots though this will be only his third start over fences and Cootamundra has shot up 10lb for landing a very tough and competitive handicap at Navan in November. A leap of faith is required to see TARQUINIUS make amends for his head defeat in this a year ago as he's been running poorly but the ground has come right for him and Gordon Elliott's charge is taken to go one better.
Vesper Bell (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered badly and unseated rider 14th, in a race won by Shotgun Paddy (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) sft, 15 ran.
On His Own (IRE) 7-1fav (11-1) Prominent until 3rd, lost place before 5th, well behind until stayed on from last, no impression, 6th of 22, 19l behind Chance Du Roy (10-6) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Dec.
Ipsos Du Berlais (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Raced in 4th early, last at 2nd, soon trailing and never a factor, last of 5, well behind Foxrock (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft.
Cootamundra (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division on inner, headway into 5th 3 out, 4th travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov beating Mad Brian (10-12) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Playing (FR) 9-2fav (10-13) Soon close up, on terms 7th, headed from 7 out, remained close up, led again 3 out, went clear from before 2 out, soon in command, jumped a little right at last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy beating Prince Of Milan (10-11) by 9l, 11 ran.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up behind, outpaced in 5th 3 out, headway under pressure next, came towards stands' side rail and chased winner before last, soon every chance, kept on flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gd in Nov.
Balnaslow (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, closed to track leaders from 3 out, 3rd into straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 6l behind The Paparrazi Kid (11-6) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs Grade 2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Lookoutnow (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Soon led, disputed from halfway, 2nd 5 out, ridden in 4th before straight, no extra before 2 out, 6th of 16, 22l behind Make A Track (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Rich Revival (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, towards rear halfway, no extra and pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec, 28 ran.
Groody Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, never a factor, no impression in 10th 2 out, no extra,, 10th of 12, 33l behind Off The Charts (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116.
Hunting Party (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear when fell 1st, in a race won by Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec, 28 ran.
Panther Claw (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, slight mistake 10th, 8th approaching 2 out, soon no extra, 17th of 28, well behind Rockyaboya (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
Los Amigos (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4 out, led approaching straight, ridden and challenged last, kept on under pressure run-in,, won at Thurles 2m 6f nh nov hdl sft in Dec beating Leavethelighton (11-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tarquinius (FR) 8-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden after 4 out, under pressure in 8th before 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 11, 42l behind Annie Oakley (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl.
Sole Witness (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Soon led, joined 8th, bumped and fell 5 out, in a race won by She's Got Grit (9-10) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 sft, 10 ran.
Archie Meade (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway on outer to tracked leaders halfway, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression from next, kept on one paced in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 35l behind Rogue Angel (11-11) at Punchestown 3m beg chs hvy in Dec.
Caduceus (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, progress before 5 out and went 2nd 3 out, ridden and no extra in 6th approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 6th of 14, 18l behind Thelobstercatcher (9-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 in Dec.
Oscars Business (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Soon chased leaders, 6th before straight, 3rd 3 out, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 in Dec beating Jupitor (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led, disputed from 4th, ridden after 4 out, headed 3 out, no extra before next, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 14l behind City Slicker (11-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hdl.
Living Next Door (IRE) 11-2fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, no extra in straight, 14th of 21, 49l behind Courage (10-1) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Castle Wings (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, a little slow 4 out, brought towards near side in straight, challenged 3 out and jumped a little right last 3, struggling to match leader when left clear 2 out, steadied into last, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f beg chase hvy beating West Council (11-7) by 24l, 7 ran.
