Enda Bolger has few peers when it comes to preparing horses for this type of race and is mob-handed here with last year's winner Garde Champetre at the top of the handicap again. He is better off at the weights with 2009 runner-up Sizing Australia, who again finished behind over C&D last month, and can never be left out of calculations over these unique fences. Punchestown second King Johns Castle should also be thereabouts and Joe Lively is capable of more than he showed on his reappearance. But the fly in the ointment may be ARABELLA BOY, who was a smart novice hurdler last season and has already won between the flags in Ireland. If he takes to the cross-country obstacles, Peter John Carberry's mount could be very well handicapped.
Garde Champetre (FR) 6-5fav (11-8) In touch until slightly lost place and dropped towards rear 25th, progress before 4 out, tracked leading pair before 2 out, chased leader before last, drew upsides and every chance after last, found no extra and held final 150 yards, 2nd of 10, nk behind Lacdoudal (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Joe Lively (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) In touch, ridden towards rear 12th, headway and in touch 21st, mistake and weakened 27th, 6th of 10, 26l behind Lacdoudal (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
King Johns Castle (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Settled behind leaders mainly 3rd, closed 5 out, outpaced briefly after 2 out before closing again into 2nd before last, no impression on run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind L'Ami (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) in Nov.
Gullible Gordon (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mistake and hampered 1st, in touch on inside, 3rd when fell 13th (bechers brook), in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Maljimar (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, fell next, in a race won by Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
A New Story (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Towards rear, pushed along 6 out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 43l behind The Shepherd (10-0) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov.
Sizing Australia (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, led 18th, until 22nd, chased winner until before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Lacdoudal (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Led, strongly pressed 3 out, ridden and kept on, slow jump and headed at last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Magnanimity (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Nov.
Magic Sky (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Towards rear of mid-division, mistake 8th, chased leaders and reminders 15th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Frankie Figg (11-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Mr Big (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Chased leader until 8th, prominent, led 13th until before 17th, stayed close up until weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Lacdoudal (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
La Musica (FR) (10-12) 98th of 16, 26l behind Quezac De La Roque (11-4) at Compiegne(FR) 3m 3f chs sft in Nov.
