held up behind, headway into mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 27th
tracked leaders, headway 26th, challenged 2 out, ridden to chase winner and every chance last, no impression flat, just held on for 2nd
mid-division, struggling 24th, chased leaders under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
made most to 19th, with leader until lost place 26th, blundered next, soon weakened, behind from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, struggling 26th, behind when blundered and unseated rider next
mid-division in touch, headway 26th, challenged on outside 2 out, led approaching last, ridden clear flat
in touch, headway 26th, outpaced 2 out, weakened flat
held up behind, some headway under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
with leader, led 19th, hard pressed 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace flat
patiently ridden, held up in rear, headway 2 out, driven to chase leaders last, kept on same pace flat, no impression
tracked leaders, blundered 4 out, effort on inside after 2 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no impression with winner
Nonrunner
Uncle Junior usually knows his way around here but was among several who took the wrong course in this 12 months ago. He had Outlaw Pete, Another Jewel, Wedger Pardy and Double Dizzy behind when winning easily over C&D four weeks ago, however, and is unlikely to be far away again. The top weight makes more appeal than stablemate Shakervilz. Veteran A New Story may not be the force of old while Maljimar has never had much luck over these obstacles and Arabella Boy may struggle to confirm Punchestown running with BOSTONS ANGEL, despite re-opposing on better terms. That race was the first time Jessica Harrington's classy eight-year-old had tackled cross-country fences and he'll know more today.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up mid-division, blundered 21st, headway 24th, tracked leading pair 6 out, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on strongly to go clear from last, won at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov beating Balthazar King (11-8) by 11l, 16 ran.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd after 5th, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden entering straight, no extra from last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Arabella Boy (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Nov.
A New Story (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, no extra from next, 7th of 10, 21l behind Happy New Year (9-3) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Nov.
Lydon House 14-1 (10-11) Chased leader, took wrong course after 5th and pulled up, in a race won by Arabella Boy (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Nov, 14 ran.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, left 2nd after 5th (legal leader), led 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Nov beating Bostons Angel (11-4) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Outlaw Pete (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Soon towards rear, reminder 10th, headway into mid-division 23rd, ridden to chase leading pair 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Shakervilz (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Chased leaders early, soon settled mid-division, ridden into 4th 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Arabella Boy (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Nov.
Another Jewel (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Detatched in rear, late headway before 3 out, stayed on to take moderate 4th last, never near leaders, 4th of 16, 33l behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Double Dizzy 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along from 18th, weakened 6 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Maljimar (IRE) (10-9) 4th of 23, 40l behind Orphee Des Blins (10-9) at Pardubice(CZE) 4m 2f Cross Country Chase sft in Oct.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed before 3rd, led again 5 out, pressed before last, kept on, driven out, won at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov beating Overyou (10-13) by nk, 6 ran.
Wedger Pardy (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Led after 1st, headed 14th, led again 18th to 21st, chased leaders until weakened 6 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
