This shouldn't take much winning and MARYIVER, a winner between the flags and over hurdles, has shown enough to suggest she will make a chaser and she's certainly bred for the job. Vintage Oak has trod a similar path to the selection and is another likely to do well over the bigger obstacles as is Thurles hurdles winner Gold Cygnet despite a poor effort on his latest start at Gowran in March. Alabama Banjo has much more experience over fences than most of these rivals and has jumped well in the main so he's an obvious threat to all and will be difficult to keep out of the frame. Mazara is another chasing newcomer who has some decent form over timber and should make his mark over fences.
Alabama Banjo (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, improved to challenge last, led entering straight, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Mirador Del Conde (11-5) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in Oct.
Gold Cygnet (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, last of 8, well behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) in Mar.
Marathon Leader (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, completely tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Jessies Dream (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs gd in Oct.
Mazara (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 6th 6 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before 2 out, 8th of 20, 9l behind Instinctive (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Apr.
Mountain Lough (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Drussell (10-2) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Feb.
Night Alliance (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Soon towards rear, pulled up approaching 5 out, in a race won by Hoopy (11-1) at Galway 3m hcp hdl 88-130 gd in Jul, 20 ran.
Short Grass (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 20, 35l behind Bale O'shea (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Oct.
Sky Captain (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Raced in close 2nd, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 11, 21l behind Cheer Up (10-7) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 hvy in Apr.
Slippers Percy (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th and no extra entering straight, weakened, 10th of 19, 38l behind Hoochie Mama (10-7) at Naas 3m hcp hdl 80-109 in Mar.
The Hares Corner (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, moderate 5th after 5 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 32l behind Erritt Lake (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs gd in Oct.
Theres One For You (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Never a factor, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Fully Funded (11-12) at Wexford 2m 2f 5yo mdn hdl in Oct.
Vintage Oak (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Made virtually all, joined 4 out, led agin 3 out, soon ridden and edged clear, stayed on well from last, won at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl in Mar beating Nintytwo Team (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Gentle Alice (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Soon mid-division, 6th approaching straight, ridden in moderate 4th between last 2, soon no impression and kept on same pace without threatening, 3rd of 20, 4 1/2l behind Max Almighty (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Mar.
Maryiver (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Close up in 2nd, drops to 4th under pressure 3 out, kept on same pace until ran on strongly last 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Rossdara (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f mrs nov hdl in Mar.
