raced mainly in 4th, pulled up quickly after 4th
soon led, not fluent 2nd, again not fluent 3 out, travelling best and went on before 2 out where not fluent, pushed along before last where slow jump, ridden and tired run-in, headed and no extra close home
slow jump 1st and reminders early, settled in 5th, not fluent 4th, progress into 2nd from 4 out, ridden in 3rd from 2 out, kept on well run-in without matching winner
prominent early before settling in 2nd, mistake 5th, dropped to 3rd from 4 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out where mistake and unseated rider
raced in rear, not fluent 1st, detached when bad mistake and unseated rider 4 out
prominent early before settling in 3rd, not fluent 6 out and dropped to 4th after next, took closer order after 3 out and ridden in 2nd before next, mistake and almost unseated last, rider lost irons, rallied and kept on best to lead close home
Montana Belle appears to have found very testing ground against her in her last two starts though both were in Grade 3 company and she will find this less daunting. BALBIR DU MATHAN is exposed having had 10 starts over fences but he won over hurdles a month ago and will appreciate the ground better than most so gets the vote. Ballela Boy hasn't found his feet over the bigger obstacles and has been making too many mistakes while stable companion Milsean has gone backwards since a fair opening run over fences at Wexford. Notwhatiam has changed stables and has won twice over hurdles. He wouldn't need to be a world-beater to make a winning debut over fences while Surf Instructor, though well beaten on his chasing bow at Navan, is the type to do much better and is one to keep an eye on.
Montana Belle (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, 3rd at 5th, improved to 2nd after 3 out, closed 2 out, no impression on winner at last, ridden and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 10 3/4l behind Shattered Love (11-1) at Cork 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3 out and soon headed, 3rd and no extra straight, left 2nd at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 16l behind Jett (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Ballela Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 1st, not fluent 2nd and reminder, jumped slightly left 3rd and pushed along briefly, bad mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Clonmel 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Milsean (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led and bumped slightly 1st, joined after 3rd, slight mistake 7th and headed, on terms again from 4 out, headed and not fluent 3 out, soon no extra, pulled up before last, at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Notwhatiam (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led and disputed, headed after 8th, ridden in 4th 3 out, under pressure from next, kept on same pace to 3rd run-in, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 12, 10 1/2l behind Monksland (11-0) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Oct.
Surf Instructor (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 3 out, ridden and headed 3 out, moderate 4th next, no impression, 4th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Al Boum Photo (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f Soft - Heavy in Nov.
