tracked leaders, 4th 4 out, improved into close 3rd 2 out, close 2nd when mistake at last, ridden run-in and stayed on well to lead inside final furlong
always towards rear, mistake 5th, no impression from 3 out, trailing when jumped right 2 out
held up off pace in last, some modest progress after 3 out, kept on under hands and heels from 2 out
tracked leaders, 2nd from 5th, dropped to 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, bad mistake 1st, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next
soon led, travelling well entering straight, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed when mistake at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, 5th 3 out, soon ridden, went 4th before last, no extra
always towards rear, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression, never a factor
prominent, 3rd from 5th, 2nd again 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to 3rd after 2 out, kept on same pace
Luke's Benefit, who won this a year ago, failed in his bid to land a Punchestown handicap for the fourth successive year on New Year's Eve but it could be significant that he's been turned out again so quickly. But he was a very long way behind Leap Dearg at Clonmel earlier and Robert Tyner's rapidly improving seven-year-old will make a bold bid to defy a massive 13lb rise. The veteran Prince Rudi was in excellent form in early summer but has never won from a mark this high in his career. Sitcom had Rafia De Triana five lengths behind when scoring at Cork in November but the runner-up appears to have made the greater progress. SIR HARRY CASH (NAP) scored over 2m4f here in November and ran well for a long way in a much better race at Limerick last week. He's not the most consistent of performers but Ruby Walsh's presence can see him back in the winner's enclosure.
Leap Dearg (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, led before last, shaken up briefly run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m hcp chs sft in Dec beating Kilcarry Bridge (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Prince Rudi (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd at 8th, ridden to challenge approaching last, led run-in, kept on under pressure, won at Galway 2m 6f hcap hdle Grd C in Aug beating Shanpallas (10-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sitcom (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Held up, slight mistake 3rd, 7th from 4 out, no extra from before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Forty Foot Tom (9-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Luke's Benefit (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 23l behind Golden Ticket (11-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs sft in Dec.
Rafi De Triana (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, left 2nd 5 out, ridden before straight, under pressure in 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 7l behind If Not For You (11-12) at Clonmel 2m beg chs sft in Dec.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led, mistake 5 out, soon headed, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no extra in 4th before 2 out, left moderate 3rd, lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 10, 35l behind Down Ace (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chs sft in Dec.
Sir Harry Cash 7-1 (9-3) Held up, 10th early, 9th from 7th, progress next, went 3rd and pushed along before straight, chasing leaders and no impression 2 out, one pace, 4th of 15, 14l behind Page Turner (10-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcap ch in Dec.
Milan Breeze (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Led, headed 11th, regained lead 5 out, joined 4 out, ridden and headed next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Sword Fish (11-1) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs sft.
Kilmurry Kid (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led and soon clear, swished tail after 4th, reduced advantage 4 out, headed next, soon weakened, badly hampered 2 out, soon trailing, 9th of 16, well behind Cool Warrior (9-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 in Nov.
