tracked leaders in close 3rd, 2nd at 8th, improved to dispute lead at 11th, headed 5 out, ridden in 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
always last, trailing from 5th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
disputed lead, headed 6th, 3rd at 8th, pushed along briefly at 11th, disputed lead 13th, headed next, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no impression
disputed lead, led from 6th, joined again 11th, led 5 out, pushed along and went clear 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in
Road To Respect won this last year before surprisingly beaten by Outlander in the Grade 1 JNwine at Down Royal when Sub Lieutenant was only fifth. The former did much the better subsequently winning the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown and running well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and it's equivalent on this course when Sub Lieutenant was again behind. The latter has a fitness advantage having comfortably beaten Sandymount Duke at Galway, while SNOW FALCON also arrives with a recent victory under his belt. Jonathan Moore was on board when Noel Meade's charge won the Kerry National and the 11lb his mount receives from stable companion Road To Respect may just swing things his way. Ballycasey hasn't run over a trip this far for a very long time and could do with plenty of rain.
Outlander (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 5th from 6th, ridden before 4 out where slow jump, weakened approaching straight, 8th of 12, dist behind Bellshill (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Ballycasey (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway into 3rd at 5th, disputed 2nd briefly and mistake 4 out, ridden and disputed 2nd entering straight, no impression on winner from 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 12 1/4l behind Ballyoisin (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f gd in Jun.
Sandymount Duke (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Soon led and went on, reduced lead approaching straight, joined over 3f out, soon headed, no extra and kept on same pace from 2f out, 9th of 24, 8 3/4l behind Brazos (8-12) at Navan 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, soon raced in 3rd, closed on inner 4 out, led from 3 out, asserted from last, stayed on well straight, won at Galway 2m 7f gd in Aug beating Sandymount Duke (11-3) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
Road To Respect (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, inclined to jump left, 6th from 6th, closed and not fluent 3 out, 4th approaching straight, kept on without matching 1st 2 from after 2 out, 3rd of 12, 8 3/4l behind Bellshill (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Snow Falcon (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd before 4 out, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 3-length advantage last, strongly pressed close home and just held on, won at Listowel 3m hcp sft in Sep beating Saturnas (10-13) by nk, 18 ran.
