Verdict

Captain Cee Bee and War Of Attrition are among former winners and BOG WARRIOR will need to be up to a similar standard to take this. Tony Martin's star, also engaged in tomorrow's Grade 1 Hennessey, looked a superb prospect on his first two starts over fences and was odds-on to land the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on St Steven's Day when coming down at the fourth. Compensation awaits here, especially as the winner of that event, Blackstairmountain, has since been a big disappointment in the Arkle at Leopardstown though that can't have been his true form. Slieveardagh has done very well but may do better over further, a remark that also applies to Donnas Palm.

Formwatch

Blackstairmountain (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, no impression in 5th approaching straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 29l behind Flemenstar (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs G1 (1) sft in Jan.

Bog Warrior (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Prominent and took keen hold, led before 3rd, fell 4th, in a race won by Blackstairmountain (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec, 9 ran.

Slieveardagh (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Not fluent 2nd, chased leaders, niggled along before straight, 2nd and challenged 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind First Lieutenant (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) sft in Oct.

Donnas Palm (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Disputed early, soon chased leaders in 3rd, 4th 7 out, dropped to rear 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, 4th of 5, 26l behind Sir Des Champs (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) in Jan.

Glenstar (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Prominent and disputed lead, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Boston Bob (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.

King's Bastion (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Soon chased leaders, 5th 5 out, dropped to moderate 6th and no extra from last, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Your Busy (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs gd in Aug.