tracked leaders in 3rd, improved travelling well to lead 2 out, soon ridden, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 4 out, went 3rd under pressure 2 out, 2nd at last, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong
led and disputed, slow jump 1st, slight mistake 8th, headed 4 out and ridden, dropped to 4th after 3 out, no impression
led and disputed, led 4 out, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd when mistake at last, no extra run-in
always in rear, dropped behind 5 out and soon ridden, no impression, never a factor
Ballycasey beat Don Cossack at Leopardstown then didn't quite get home in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. He was going strongly when falling at the second last at Fairyhouse last time and will be fancied to make amends. His stablemates Mozoltov and DJAKADAM both also failed to finish on their latest starts and it's the latter, who is only a five-year-old and gets plenty of allowances, who gets the nod as he looked very smart when beating Bright New Dawn at Leopardstown and was going well when falling at Cheltenham. Carlingford Lough had Morning Assembly just behind in the Grade 1 Topaz at Leopardstown in December and can confirm the form without troubling the selection.
Ballycasey (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Led, travelled well entering straight, length advantage when fell 2 out, in a race won by Rebel Fitz (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1), 4 ran.
Carlingford Lough (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Not fluent, held up towards rear, mistake 5th, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms, 6th of 15, 10l behind O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Don Cossack (GER) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, hit 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Holywell (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd.
Morning Assembly (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division in touch on inside, headway 4 out, effort next, outpaced 2 out, ridden and kept on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 15, 6l behind O'Faolains Boy (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Mozoltov 11-2 (11-10) Held up in 3rd, mistake 2nd, last from 6th, mistake and unseated rider 8th, in a race won by Rebel Fitz (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1), 4 ran.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Towards rear, some progress 3 out, 8th entering straight, no extra from 2 out, weakened, 15th of 26, well behind Shutthefrontdoor (10-13) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs (1).
Djakadam (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, close up when fell 4 out, in a race won by Taquin Du Seuil (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
