This has been won by Joncol and Captain Cee Bee for the past two years but this is a disappointing turnout and it's unlikely today's winner will have their quality. TORPHICHEN at least has the distinction of having raced at a high level over fences and his third behind Realt Dubh in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown is comfortably the best form on view. Pay The Bounty was beaten a long way that day while Un Hinged has only run once over fences and doesn't look good enough. Rahan De Marcigny has improved with each run over the bigger obstacles and there was much to admire about his victory over Tawaag at Leopardstown though it may be Prince Erik, who has yet to transfer his hurdles form to fences despite his Sligo success, who chases home the selection.
Pay The Bounty 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, ridden and weakened before 5 out, completely tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Realt Dubh (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Prince Erik 13-2 (11-8) Held up behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to dispute approaching last, kept on run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Uncle Tom Cobley (10-13) at Naas 2m nov chs sft in Jan.
Rahan De Marcigny (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, headway to dispute lead travelling well entering straight, narrowly headed by-passing last, rallied under pressure to lead closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase sft in Jan beating Tawaagg (11-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Torphichen 10-1 (11-12) Raced wide, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 4 out, 3rd and ridden 2 out, soon challenged, left 2nd at last, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Realt Dubh (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Un Hinged (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Final Approach (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 sft in Jan, 26 ran.
