Claragh Native reverted to hurdling for an easy victory at Downpatrick and that should have boosted his confidence as he attempts a first victory over fences, though his best form has been on faster going. Darenjan has enough weight and connections won't be pleased with a 2lb rise for finishing runner-up last time. Senior Again has the form for this and will love the conditions though an absence since May is against him and it's MUZAK who gets the nod. He scored over this trip on heavy ground at Ballinrobe in August and the 5lb extra he's been allotted is negated by David Splaine's claim. Code Of The West was a long way behind the selection over hurdles at Galway two months ago but should have benefited from the run, his first since April.
Darenjan (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Prominent early, soon chased leader, 3rd halfway, dropped to 4th 3 out, 2nd 2 out, soon led, ridden and headed entering straight, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Fosters Cross (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Sep.
Hans Crescent (FR) 25-1 (9-9) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, no extra approaching 2 out, 17th of 18, well behind Drive Time (10-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Apr.
Sean Airgead (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Held up, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 20l behind Kalellshan (10-7) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Aug.
Any Bets (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) 4th of 7, 38l behind Torphichen (10-13) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp chs sft in Sep.
Code Of The West (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, no impression under pressure in 10th from before last, kept on same pace, 9th of 20, 25l behind Muzak (11-4) at Galway 2m 2f am hcp hdl 88-109 sft in Aug.
Paddy O Dee 5-1 (10-1) Soon led, headed before 5 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no extra after last and weakened, last of 7, well behind Fosters Cross (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Sep.
Senior Again (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Mid-division, 6th and in touch when fell 2 out, in a race won by Un Hinged (10-1) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs sft in May, 10 ran.
Steel Park (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, went close 2nd when bad mistake next, not recover and dropped to 5th run-in, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Special Tiara (11-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs sft in Sep.
Claragh Native (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Waited with in mid-division, closer in 6th 3 out, led next, quickly clear, stayed on well, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Sep beating Clarkey (11-5) by 8l, 15 ran.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, led briefly before 3 out, soon headed and dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra, 4th of 14, 21l behind World Citizen (10-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Sep.
Muzak (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, disputed lead 6th, led 8th, headed 4 out, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 4th of 15, 18l behind Bruff (10-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-109) sft in Sep.
Rakamasi 12-1 (10-4) Raced in 5th, 6th briefly after 3 out, 4th under pressure 2 out, slightly hampered last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Muzak (10-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Aug.
