towards rear, slight mistake 5th, reminder when slightly slow jump 4 out, went 4th under pressure before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
close up and disputed lead, slight mistake 3 out, led from next, stayed on well under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd for much, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
tracked leaders, no extra from before 2 out
pulled hard in rear, headway to track leaders 2 out, soon no extra under pressure
led and disputed, slighly slow jump 2nd, ridden from 3 out, headed from 2 out, rallied and not fluent last, kept on without matching winner run-in
Uncle Junior is now rated 139 over fences after completing a hat-trick at Punchestown and can revert to hurdles on a 9lb lower mark. He has an obvious chance despite needing a thorough test of stamina but may not be up to conceding lumps of weight to the progressive HIGHDOWNHILL. Boots Madden's Montjeu gelding produced a shock when scoring over 2m2f here in May but followed up over this C&D in great style and looks capable of defying a 9lb rise in the weights. Resolute Bay was in superb form early in the summer completing a double and producing an excellent run behind Archie Boy at Kilbeggan but he was well beaten at Limerick a month ago and may find this competition too hot to handle.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, headway into 9th 5 out, 5th and mistake 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, soon led and kept on well, won at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in May beating Another Palm (9-12) by 3l, 25 ran.
Resolute Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Soon led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 39l behind Sparkling Tara (10-12) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Jul.
Fearnwood Girl (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, closed 3 out, 3rd approaching 2 out, soon no extra under pressure, 9th of 14, 26l behind Clarach (10-9) at Galway 2m mrs hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Kirbybroguelantern (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Led, headed 4th, 2nd halfway, led again briefly before 2 out, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened entering straight, 13th of 17, 31l behind Pittoni (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb.
Mighty Whitey (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Always behind, trailing from halfway, 5th of 6, 46l behind Alaivan (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo lst hdl sft in Nov.
Jacks Island (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Prominent, mistake 5th, 3rd 3 out, weakened from before next, 16th of 17, well behind Bobby John (10-1) at Galway 2m 2f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Jul.
Highdownhill (NZ) 4-1fav (10-12) Towards rear, headway to track leaders from 3 out, led next, clear before straight, hung left run-in, soon pressed, stayed on well under pressure to assert closing stages, won at Sligo 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 8Evens09 gd in Jul beating Siberion (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
