always towards rear, slight mistake 8th, no threat from 4 out
led, ridden entering straight and headed approaching bypassed last fence, dropped to 3rd and no extra run-in
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no threat from 5 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 4 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 9th and not fluent next, went 2nd 2 out and headway to lead approaching bypassed last fence, pressed run-in and driven out to hold on
chased leaders in 3rd when fell 7th, dead
settled towards rear, badly hampered 7th, headway into 4th after 5 out and ridden approaching straight, went 2nd bypassing last and kept on under pressure, not reach winner
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in straight and dropped to 4th bypassing last, no extra and kept on one pace
Willie Mullins had several potentially useful chasers engaged in this and relies on CADSPEED. A little bit disappointing previously over fences, he looked as though he'd finally got the hang of things when setting a strong gallop and going clear at Clonmel only to fall at the last. That was his second fall in three starts so he's not one to have the mortgage on but he should win this. Knocklong finished 14 lengths behind the eventual winner in that Clonmel event but ran well enough to take advantage if the likely favourite fluffs his lines again but Flat and hurdles winner Galianna will need to do much better than on her chasing debut over the C&D in November. Force Of Habit was well beaten on his only start over fences at Galway in August.
Ample Appeal (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, no impression 8th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Boston Bob (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Cadspeed (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Soon led, asserted 3 out and in command before next, clear when fell last, unlucky, in a race won by Dream Function (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs in Dec, 15 ran.
Force Of Habit 14-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, no extra from before 2 out, 17th of 23, well behind Shariyan (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Dec.
Lucky Spring (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always behind, 9th of 11, well behind Canaly (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chs sft in Dec.
Pineau De Re (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Waited with, well off the pace, went moderate 4th from 2 out (normal 4 out), no impression from before straight, fell last, remounted to finish, last of 10, well behind Beeverstown (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Rourke's Cross (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, mistake 7th, 6th of 7, well behind Sword Of Destiny (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Stony Grey Soil (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, 8th halfway, no impression in 6th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 31l behind Make A Track (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Galianna (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 6th on outer halfway, ridden and no extra early straight, 9th of 16, 33l behind Cnoc Seoda (11-2) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs hvy in Nov.
Knocklong (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outer, 7th halfway, distant 6th early straight and left 5th 2 out, left moderate 4th after last, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 15l behind Dream Function (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 3f beg chs in Dec.
