soon tracked leaders, dropped to 6th 3 out, no extra from next
held up, closer in 4th 3 out, challenged on inner and led straight, joined before last where good jump, kept on well run-in, headed near line
soon chased leaders, no extra and pulled up after 5 out
soon led, headed before 2 out where bad mistake and unseated rider
towards rear, closer in 5th after 2 out, moderate 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from before last
prominent, still 2nd after 2 out, soon no extra and eased when beaten
soon tracked leaders, dropped to last 3 out, kept on same pace from next
close up, on terms approaching 2 out, soon led, headed straight, dropped to moderate 4th and no extra from before last
towards rear, closer in 5th 3 out, 3rd after next, on terms before last where not as fluent as main rival, headed, quickend up well run-in to lead near line
Winning point-to-pointer Big Dano was making his debut under Rules when gaining a shock victory in a beginners' chase at Killarney where he was handed victory on the run-in. He'll do well to follow up with a big weight against hardened chasers with Francis Du Mesnil certain to be involved, though he doesn't win very often and is better over further. Carleton Place likes the trip and fast ground but hasn't run since August while Clarkey is 11lb higher than when last scoring and hasn't been seen since November. GRACCHUS is still very much a youngster but has plenty of scope and followed a debut success over fences at Cork with a good run behind Coscorrig at Punchestown, form that should be good enough for this.
Big Dano (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Always prominent, struggling in 2nd before last, left in front and stayed on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gd in May beating Meritorious (11-12) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Gracchus (USA) 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute before 2 out, ridden in 3rd before last, no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Carrigmartin (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs gd in May.
Clarkey (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 10th of 11, 30l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-4) at Down Royal 2m hcp chs 0-130 in Nov.
Mission Possible (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led, keen hold, soon clear, mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Alpine Eagle (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f beg chs gd in May, 9 ran.
Francis Du Mesnil (FR) 9-4fav (10-8) Held up, progress from 4 out, 3rd next, went moderate 2nd after 3 out, ridden along entering straight, kept on one paced from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Conem (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-123 gd in May.
Turtle Gale (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 7th, headed 6 out, no extra from early straight, 7th of 9, 44l behind Mossey Joe (11-10) at Cork 3m chs gd in May.
Sense Of Awareness (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 16l behind Conem (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-123 gd in May.
Carleton Place (IRE) 9-4fav (10-13) Chased leader, closed before 6th, on terms before 4 out, in front when slight mistake next, headed before 2 out where dropped to 3rd and beaten when fell, in a race won by Mahrajaan (11-8) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in Aug, 6 ran.
Good Decision (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 18, 45l behind Ihaventabob (10-12) at Listowel 3m hcp chs 0-102 gd in Sep.
