tracked leaders, keen hold, went 3rd before straight, struggling to get to leaders from 2 out, kept on same pace
mistake 1st, in touch towards rear, not fluent 5th, reminder after 5 out, dropped to last and no extra from before 3 out
tracked leaders, keen hold, closed into 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, soon every chance, kept on without matching winner run-in
tracked leader, keen hold, led before 3 out, strongly pressed approaching last, stayed on best run-in
led, jumping not always fluent, headed before 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra from before straight
in touch towards rear, 5th before 3 out, soon no extra
Oscar Time and Becauseicouldntsee are much better known as chasers and will do better when facing fences again. The former produced the performance of his life when runner-up in the Irish National in April but has scored over timber and shouldn't be dismissed. The latter has never run over hurdles but has won a bumper and a point-to-point and progressed over fences to such an extent last season that he ended up with a superb second place behind Poker De Sivola in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. SIVOTA is doubly penalised but likes testing ground and has been in good form. He followed an easy reappearance success at Navan in September with a fair run behind Askanna in a much better race at Punchestown and should be good enough to get back to winning ways. Rick hasn't had much experience but won a maiden at Leopardstown very easily in January before finding Grade 2 company much too hot here the following month.
Sivota (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) In touch, 8th 5 out, 6th after 3 out, progress after 2 out, 3rd and ridden before last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Askanna (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 6f hdl.
Chestnut Charlie (IRE) (10-5) 10th of 11, 26l behind Questarabad (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f hdl Grd 3 sft in Sep '09.
Oscar Time (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, progress into 9th halfway, smooth progress into 4th after 4 out, 3rd before 2 out, 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 26, 4 1/2l behind Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr.
Rick (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Western Leader (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) In touch on inside, hampered 17th, joined leader going well after 4 out, led next, ridden and hard pressed last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 18, 2 1/4l behind Poker De Sivola (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.
Lady Of Synone (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) In touch last of the 5, no impression and kept on same pace from 3 out, last of 5, 20l behind Silverhand (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f hdl gd in Oct.
