chased leader in 2nd and jumped slightly left throughout, slight mistakes 4th and 4 out, improved to dispute before straight, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last
held up in 3rd, rear from 5th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, eased after 2 out
led and jumped left throughout, slight mistake 8th, disputed before straight, ridden in 2nd 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
held up in rear, 3rd from 5th, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on same pace from before last
The veteran He'llberemembered has won this for the past two years and arrives in winning form having dead-heated on the Flat last month. He was handed a race at Punchestown on New Year's Eve when the winner was disqualified but Daneking, who was two lengths behind, will be 4lb better off and, at half his age, should have made the most progress since. Cool Oscar doesn't look good enough but Home Farm, a classy chaser at his best with a Listed victory on this track to his credit, is an intriguing entry though probably warming up for the big races over fences ahead. The latter remark could also apply to TED VEALE (NAP), placed in the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown in April. But he's been in fine form on the Flat and over hurdles this summer with a close third behind stablemate Quick Jack in the Galway Hurdle likely to be good enough for this.
He'llberemembered (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Dwelt, soon pushed along to lead, ridden 3f out, pressed 2f out, headed 1f out, rallied well inside final furlong, disputed close home, dead-heated, won at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep beating Whiteout (9-11), 10 ran.
Cool Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division, slight mistake 1st, dropped towards rear and pushed along before 5 out, ridden into 9th after 3 out, 5th and no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 18l behind Travel Ogue (10-9) at Tipperary 3m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
Daneking 1-2fav (11-1) A little keen, soon raced in 2nd, jumped slightly left at times, slight mistake 8th, led after 4 out, soon asserted and appeared in command when bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Cork 2m 4f gd in Aug.
Ted Veale (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 9th 7f out, ridden in 10th under 3f out, no impression leaders, kept on one pace final furlong, 9th of 20, 4 3/4l behind Digeanta (9-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Home Farm (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Jumped slowly 1st, chased leaders, lost place 14th (water), blundered 17th, no chance when mistake and weakened 3 out, well beaten when went right last, 8th of 9, dist behind Menorah (11-10) at Sandown 2m 6f lst (1) gd in Apr.
