Verdict

An excellent prize which Noel Meade is going for in a big way with four entries, all who look to have a chance. Ruby Walsh is a rare booking for the yard on the novice Bose Ikard, who had stablemate Please Talk 2l behind at Roscommon in August though the latter is 4lb better off. Paul Carberry rode the stable's Tom Horn to a comfortable victory at Sligo recently though a 5lb penalty gives him a bit more to do. Irish National runner-up Golden Wonder is slowly making his way back to form and can carry his big weight with distinction while Shanpallas ran an excellent race when third in the Kerry National with an out of sorts Usuel Smurfer well beaten. Back Off Mate has been in good form but this is an unknown trip and Raajih is looking a bit high in the weights. COLDSTONESOBER didn't enjoy the soft ground at Gowran and providing the going remains fast he can take advantage of his low weight under Kevin Sexton, whose claim was invaluable when Jimmy Finn's charge landed a nice prize at Galway last month.

Formwatch

Golden Wonder (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Held up towards rear, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden into 3rd before 2 out, kept on to 2nd before last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Desertmore Stream (11-6) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hdl gd in Sep.

Klepht (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Mid-division, progress on outer into 8th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 11th of 18, 29l behind Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep.

Shanpallas (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders on inner, slight mistake 8th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep.

Usuel Smurfer (FR) 8-1 (10-10) Always behind, ridden and trailing 4 out, slight mistake next, no impression, 14th of 18, 41l behind Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep.

Raajih 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Sep beating Blenheim Brook (10-8) by 8l, 6 ran.

Tom Horn (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 5th, led before 5 out, mistake 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well from before last, won at Sligo 2m 4f chs gd beating Arzembouy Premier (10-12) by 7l, 4 ran.

Wise Old Owl (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) In rear, slight mistake 5th, moderate 15th and ridden 4 out, kept on one paced from next, 8th of 18, 27l behind Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep.

Heaney (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Soon under pressure in rear of mid-division, slight mistake 5th, detached 7th, trailing when pulled up after 9th, in a race won by Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep, 18 ran.

Casey Top (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Soon led, headed after 3rd, ridden and dropped to 3rd 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 18, 14l behind Your Busy (9-12) at Listowel 3m hcap ch gd in Sep.

Protaras (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Soon rear of mid-division, towards rear 4 out, no impression from next, 9th approaching straight, one pace, 7th of 11, 14l behind Ask Vic (10-6) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Sep.

Rohan's Pride (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Close up early, 6th after 3rd, 5th into straight, no impression and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 13, 6l behind Me And Ben (11-9) at Listowel 3m hcp chs 0-123 gd in Sep.

Back Off Mate (IRE) 7-2fav (10-6) Held up, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on one pace into 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Lord Ben (11-5) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp chs gd in Sep.

Bose Ikard (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Held up in 4th, left 3rd from 5 out, chased winner in 2nd from before last where not fluent, stayed on well run-in, not get to winner, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Presenting Beara (11-7) at Clonmel 3m nov chs 0-123 gf.

Coldstonesober (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, 5th 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 10, 23l behind Thekingofconnemara (10-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcap hdle Grd C.

Please Talk (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 8th, pushed along from 4 out, went 6th into straight, chased winner and no impression from before last, kept on without threatening run-in, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Me And Ben (11-9) at Listowel 3m hcp chs 0-123 gd in Sep.

Ballyfinboy (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden in 5th after 4 out, 3rd 3 out, no impression from next, 6th of 12, 12l behind Dashing Lady (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Sep.