always rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden and no extra 4 out, trailing when pulled up before next
led, strongly pressed and dropped to 3rd when hit 2 out, no impression on easy winner when fell last
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd soon after halfway, ridden and no impression on winner from 2 out, eased when beaten run-in
tracked leader, 4th soon after halfway and pushed along in 5th when stumbled approaching 3 out, soon no extra, left distant 4th after last
settled towards rear, headway 5 out and 3rd approaching 3 out, travelled best to lead 2 out and asserted before last, stretched clear run-in, easily
tracked leader mainly 3rd, 4th after 4 out and no extra approaching straight, left distant 3rd after last
tracked leaders in 5th, took keen hold early, mistake 6 out and dropped to 6th, no impression after next and lost touch when pulled up before 3 out, collapsed on way back
Oscar Delta had seen the back of SALSIFY so many times in the past that it was a shock to see him in front over the last in the Foxhunter at Cheltenham. It must have been a shock to horse and rider also as the ten-year-old jinked on the run-in and unseated Jane Mangan leaving their old rival to win the race for the second time. The rider had compensation of sorts on board The Liquidator here on Wednesday and will be keen to make amends for her mishap but the overall form of Rodger Sweeney's charge may prove too much again. The remainder look as though they are playing for places though Enda Bolger could have unearthed another classy performer in this sphere in Festive Affair, who was making his hunter debut when giving the very useful Mossey Joe a scare at Cork. Western Charmer, runner-up in the 2011 Irish National, looks best of the rest.
All Or Now (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Alw pr & disp, ld 3out, hdd last, no ex, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Run For Firth (12-0) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp.
Family Oficial (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Led, joined 4th, headed 7th, dropped off winner from 9th, kept on same pace from after 4 out, 2nd of 7, 19l behind Mossey Joe (11-4) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hts chs hvy in Mar.
Oscar Delta (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Always prominent, tracked leader from 8th, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, 3 lengths clear last, staying on looked in command when jinked left and unseated rider flat, in a race won by Salsify (12-0) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) sft in Mar, 23 ran.
Parsons Pistol (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Alw rr, gd prog to ldrs 5out, not qckn bef 3out, ko onepce, 4th of 10, well behind Western Charmer (12-0) at Rathmorrissey 3m ire ptp sft in Mar.
Salsify (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Patiently ridden towards rear, headway 17th, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 3 out, one pace approaching next, soon ridden, 3 lengths down last, held in clear 2nd when gifted race flat, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (2) sft in Mar beating Divine Intavention (12-0) by 20l, 23 ran.
Western Charmer (IRE) 11-8 (12-0) Ld by 4th, went on 2out, eased late, comfortable, won at Rathmorrissey 3m ire ptp sft in Mar beating Long Strand (11-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Festive Affair (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Close up and disputed lead for much, soon clear of remainder, travelling best straight, gained narrow lead between last 2, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Mossey Joe (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f hts chs.
