prominent, 2nd 6 out, ridden from 4 out, moderate 4th next, no impression
tracked leaders, 3rd 5 out, close 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 3rd after 2 out
always behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, closer in 5th 6 out, ridden in moderate 6th 3 out, no impression
always behind, slightly hampered 8th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, 8th halfway, 7th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, badly hampered 8th and soon in rear, trailing from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, 2nd next, ridden to dispute lead after 2 out, led run-in, strongly pressed close home, headed on line
mid-division, 6th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
led until fell 8th
always prominent, left in front from 8th, ridden along 3 out, joined after 2 out, headed run-in, rallied close home and regained lead on line
Saddlers Storm was well beaten in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown last April but had landed a hat trick over fences before that. He has every chance on his seasonal bow back at this level but the vote goes to FOR A FINISH. Without a win over hurdles in 10 starts, Eoin Doyle's charge has won three of his five starts over fences including one at this track and there looks to be more to come. King Ali hinted at a return to form over timber last time and is interesting now back chasing, while Indifference Curve is a C&D winner who should go well along with Sizing America.
Benefit Night (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Tracked ldr in 2nd until 3rd from 7th, cl en 6th aftr 4out, wknd bef 3out, 6th of 11, 25l behind Kilty Storm (12-0) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Nov.
Indifference Curve (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, 9th before 7 out, progress to track leaders from 5 out, 2nd and challenged 2 out, drifted right and stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Thurles 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 in Nov beating Island Wood (11-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
King Ali (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, led briefly 4 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 19l behind Streets Of Gold (10-5) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-150 hvy in Oct.
Mighty Massini (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, no extra from 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Askthemaster (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Old Si (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Prominent, 3rd before halfway, 7th after 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 8th of 28, 14l behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Retrievethelegend (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 6th 4 out, closer and went 2nd entering straight, led after 2 out, strongly pressed at last, kept on under pressure, headed and no extra closing stages, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Trendelenburg (10-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens16.
Saddlers Storm (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent, slight peck 6 out, dropped to moderate 4th and no extra from before straight, eased from 2 out, last of 8, 45l behind Kempes (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 (1) gd in Apr.
Sizing America (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Towards rear, headway into 7th 4 out, 5th before straight, soon challenged travelling well, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Polmar (9-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs gd in Apr.
For A Finish 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 8th approaching 6 out, mistake 3 out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening straight, 4th of 17, 19l behind Drive On Jim (10-5) at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Dec.
The Burrow Vic (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Held up, mistake 8th, behind from 5 out, 16th of 28, well behind Majestic Concorde (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Hello Kitty (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Soon led and clear, reduced lead when bad mistake and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Blazing Tempo (10-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Curragh Grey (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Close up, on terms approaching 7 out, headed and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Questions Answered (9-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs sft in Dec.