Neither Yachvili nor Rudigreen, who finished 1-2 at Downpatrick last week, are noted for their consistency so both are passed over this time along with High Talk, who started favourite but was beaten a long way. BALLYFINBOY hasn't had much racing and stepped up a gear to beat Tarquinius over this trip at Navan earlier this month. The runner-up came out a few days later and won easily so a 7lb rise, negated by Declan Bates' claim, shouldn't prove enough to prevent a quick follow-up. Preswell Lad has been chasing but reverted to hurdles to run well behind Cool Oscar over the C&D last month so has to go on the short-list. Sherika is another chaser who arrives here on a 14lb lower mark and it wouldn't be a surprise to see her go well from the bottom of the handicap.
Rudigreen (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased clear leader, closer in 4th halfway and went 2nd 5 out, led before 3 out and soon tried to assert, driven along 2 out and strongly pressed early run-in, headed 100 yards out and no extra under pressure, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Yachvili (10-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 sft.
Cherryantor (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Towards rear, kept on same pace from after 3 out, 10th of 16, 32l behind Coole Avenue (11-2) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Oct.
High Talk (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Prominent early and chased clear leader from 2nd, closer from 5th, dropped to 4th before 4 out and no extra after 3 out, 4th of 8, 36l behind Yachvili (10-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 sft.
A Hill To Climb (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs, 6th 1/2way, prog in 5th well bef 2out, went cl 2nd bef last, ld early flat, all out at fin, won at Rathcannon 3m ire ptp gs in Sep beating Shingle Bay (12-0) by hd, 13 ran.
Yachvili (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader, closer in 5th halfway, 3rd 3 out and soon went 2nd, ridden to challenge early run-in and kept on best to lead final 100 yards, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 sft beating Rudigreen (11-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
A New Story (IRE) 28-1 (10-1) Waited with, no impression from before 4 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Raz De Maree (11-3) at Cork 3m 4f hcp chs 0-150, 17 ran.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Led after 1st and clear with 2nd, clear on own from 6th, ridden and reduced advantage 2 out, tired run-in, just held on, won at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 beating Tarquinius (11-3) by nk, 10 ran.
War Of Words (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened and tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Truckin All Night (11-9) at Listowel 2m mdn hdl hvy in Sep.
High Class Show (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, dropped to rear halfway, no threat and kept on one pace, 11th of 18, 25l behind Cool Oscar (11-9) at Thurles 2m 6f am hcp hdle 80-95 in Oct.
Preswell Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, went 3rd approaching straight and 2nd 2 out, soon no impression on winner and kept on same pace, 2nd of 18, 7l behind Cool Oscar (11-9) at Thurles 2m 6f am hcp hdle 80-95 in Oct.
Western Man (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Waited with towards rear, closer in 7th after 4 out, 6th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 33l behind Vic Chic (11-10) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy.
Ever Dreaming (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Big Generator (11-7) at Wexford 2m 1f beg chs gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Watt A Diva (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, 13th approaching 3 out, some headway into 7th entering straight, soon no extra, 8th of 18, 18l behind Cool Oscar (11-9) at Thurles 2m 6f am hcp hdle 80-95 in Oct.
What's In Front (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Waited with, closer in 8th after 4 out, ridden into moderate 5th approaching last, kept on, 5th of 10, 20l behind Vic Chic (11-10) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy.
Lion Valley (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, no threat from 5 out and weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Highdownhill (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 hvy in Oct, 21 ran.
Beneficial Banks (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Waited with towards rear, no impression from before straight, kept on, 6th of 11, 25l behind Mr Eko (11-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 80-102 hvy.
Kizzy O (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Prominent and disputed lead, headed and dropped to 3rd 2 out, soon no impression and dropped to 5th at last, no extra, 5th of 18, 15l behind Cool Oscar (11-9) at Thurles 2m 6f am hcp hdle 80-95 in Oct.
Sherika (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway into 5th before 3 out and briefly went 2nd approaching straight, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 21, 32l behind Highdownhill (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 hvy in Oct.
Seeability (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders in pack, moderate 4th halfway, 3rd 5 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 10, 36l behind Ballyfinboy (10-0) at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109.
Thepartysover 20-1 (11-12) Waited with, closer in 9th approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 7th of 15, 34l behind Our Girl Lucy (11-5) at Tramore 2m 6f beg chs sft in Oct.
Sruleen (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Mid-division best, never a factor, moderate 9th and kept on same pace from 4 out, 6th of 16, 45l behind Home Farm (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo).
