led, slight mistake 3rd, joined from 4th, regained lead 3 out, went clear entering straight, soon ridden, strongly pressed after last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, all out
prominent, disputed lead 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, no impression from next, moderate 4th at last
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, ridden when slight mistake next, moderate 3rd at last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders on inner, dropped to 7th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression after 2 out
held up towards rear, 8th 4 out, ridden from 2 out, soon no impression, never a factor
always towards rear, slight mistake 4th, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, close 5th 3 out, ridden from next, progress into moderate 2nd entering straight, stayed on well run-in to strongly press winner to line, struck with rivals whip twice close home
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden when mistake next, soon weakened
held up towards rear, closer in 7th 4 out, ridden from next, went moderate 4th entering straight, moderate 4th when mistake at last, no impression
Bishops Road did nothing wrong when chasing home Jarry D'Honneur at Punchestown with the useful Apache Jack back in third. This will be only his third start over the bigger obstacles but connections must believe he'll eventually be much better than a 123-rated chaser. However, he has to concede 20lb to HEATHFIELD (NAP) and it's Tony Martin's charge who can do the business. Sent to Uttoxeter for a handicap in November, he duly obliged then just got outpaced over hurdles at Bangor. He's better suited by fences and can give Ruby Walsh another winner for the yard. Kilcrea gained his first chase victory on his handicap debut at Thurles and is just 3lb higher but Down Under has gone up 6lb for his victory here last month and the extra may anchor him.
Bishops Road (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Prominent, slightly slow 2nd and at times after, slight mistake 9th, a little slow 3 out, soon under pressure and no impression in 3rd, kept on into 2nd without troubling winner near finish, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Jarry D'honneur (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase sft.
More Madness (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Chased leader, close up and disputed from 5th, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra before last, 8th of 26, 14l behind Living Next Door (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcap ch hvy in Dec.
Kilcrea (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 6th, 3rd at 9th, 2nd after 4 out, left in front and hampered 2 out, soon joined and ridden, led run-in and kept on under pressure, won at Thurles 2m 6f hcp chs 0-123 beating Betterthanalright (10-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Down Under (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, slight mistake 3 out and mistake next, ridden in moderate 6th entering straight, went 3rd last, led final 100 yards and kept on well, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcap ch in Dec beating Montana Slim (9-12) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Riverside City (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, mistake next, no extra in 7th approaching straight, slight mistake last, 8th of 11, 42l behind Down Under (10-11) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcap ch in Dec.
Fiery Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, progress into 3rd approaching straight, no extra in 6th after 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 22l behind Dushrembrandt (10-11) at Roscommon 2m 5f hcp chs gd in Sep.
Heathfield (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 7th, went 2nd 2 out, every chance when awkward last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Saint John Henry (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Lord Alfie (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Halls Bridge (11-0) at Wexford 2m 6f hcp chs 0-102 in Nov.
Better B Quick (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden after 3 out and soon no impression, 7th of 11, well behind Black Zero (11-10) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 in Dec.
