rear, mistake at 2nd, 5th to clear leaders after 4th, progress to 3rd at 8th, travelled well into 2nd after 3 out, soon 3rd, improved to lead before 2 out where jumped right, asserted and kept on well, easily
towards rear, slow jump at 1st, 4th to clear leaders at 4th, took closer order at 6th, 4th 4 out, niggled along approaching straight, kept on to moderate 2nd run-in, not trouble easy winner
chased leader, 3rd to clear leaders at 4th, took closer order at 6th, 4th at 8th, mistake and unseated rider at 10th
tracked leader, disputed at 2nd, disputed and clear after 3rd, 2nd and clear after 5th, reduced advantage in 2nd on field at 6th, dropped to 3rd after 3 out, soon weakened to rear
led narrowly, disputed at 2nd, disputed and clear after 3rd, led and clear with 2nd after 5th, reduced advantage at 6th, slow jump at 10th, headed approaching straight, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake at 5th, soon slightly detached, closed up on field and mistake at 6th, 5th 4 out, headway to lead after 3 out, headed before 2 out where hampered, weakened and dropped to moderate 3rd run-in
This contest has become something of a Christmas benefit for Willie Mullins’ yard having won the last four renewals and Cut The Mustard is weighted to beat stablemate Ifyoucatchmenow on today’s terms. But the former makes her chasing debut having won just the once over hurdles in 13 attempts and EDENE D’ARC is preferred. The latter was still in contention when falling a couple of fences from home at Fairyhouse on her chasing bow having jumped well until then and Gordon Elliott’s mare gets another chance in this. The remainder are harder to recommend though it would be no surprise to see a better effort from Half The Odds if a tongue-tie has the desired effect.
Cut The Mustard (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, 7th 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace straight, 6th of 25, 9 1/2l behind Mr Adjudicator (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Denham Hana (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 10, dist behind From Eden (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hvy in Nov.
Edene D'Arc (FR) 5-1 (11-7) Led and disputed, headed 3 out, still close up when fell next, at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Half The Odds (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, no extra from 4 out, kept on one pace in straight, 3rd of 11, 31l behind Sinoria (11-7) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Ifyoucatchmenow (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders early, some slight mistakes, 10th before 5th, bumped with rival 3 out and impeded and no impression, kept on without threatening run-in, 5th of 18, 23l behind Ten Ten (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Stucker Hill (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Held up early, closer in 6th halfway, 4th before 4 out, ridden in 6th after 3 out, no extra before next where mistake, 6th of 12, dist behind Une Lavandiere (11-6) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Dec.
