chased leaders, niggled along 5 out, in touch but a bit to do to get to winner when fell 3 out
tracked leader, not as good as leader over 7 out, closed up and on terms 5 out, soon led, went on from before straight, stayed on well, easily
waited with, keen hold and prominent from 8th, still in touch but a bit to do to get to winner when fell heavily 4 out
attempted to make all, joined 5 out, soon headed, no impression and kept on same pace straight
raced last of the 5, slow jump 5th and soon behind, never a factor, left a couple of places better after the 4th and 3rd last fences
Bostons Angel won three Grade 1 chases in 2010/11 including the RSA at Cheltenham. He's been slowly making his way back and should be fit enough after a couple of runs over hurdles though he may just need this reintroduction to the bigger obstacles. ROI DU MEE has been mixing it in Grade company for some time and arrives here in top form having made all to beat Magnanimity in a Grade 3 at Punchestown last month. He would need to raise his game again to see off a fully-fit Bostons Angel but looks capable of doing so and is handed the vote. Ballinahow Lady had Ordinary Man just over 2l behind at Wexford last month but both will need to have made progress and Quarryvale looks more of a threat as he's been improving over fences despite having had plenty of experience.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders in 5th, mistake 7th and reminders halfway, driven along approaching straight and no extra in 6th from 2 out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Mossley (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl in Oct.
Roi Du Mee (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Made all, 6 lengths advantage halfway, reduced lead 4 out and ridden early straight, jumped left last but stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 7f chs Grade 3 (1) hvy in Oct beating Magnanimity (11-8) by 5l, 5 ran.
Ordinary Man (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, 3rd 3 out and driven along after next, headway to challenge last, no extra under pressure run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Ballinahow Lady (10-2) at Wexford 2m 6f chs gd in Oct.
Quarryvale (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Prominent, led from 5th, strongly pressed and headed entering straight, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression from 2 out, no extra, 5th of 9, 9l behind Mossley (11-0) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl in Oct.
Ballinahow Lady (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Disputed lead until led from 5th, driven along before 2 out and strongly pressed last, kept on best run-in, won at Wexford 2m 6f chs gd in Oct beating Ordinary Man (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
