Not the easiest of finishes but WISE OSCAR can revert to chasing on such a lenient mark after an easy victory over hurdles here that he has to get the nod to gain his first success over the bigger obstacles. Dunroe Boy is another on a fair mark over fences and he's been unlucky not to lose his maiden tag while a thorough test of stamina will suit Shellys Creek, as it did when she finished a very good second to Tarquinius over the C&D on New Year's Day. The veteran Mister Farmer is just 3lb higher than when scoring easily here in April so he's another who can get involved along with Valley Of Thrushes, who doesn't have too many miles on the clock despite his age and battled on strongly to score at Limerick.
Droim Toll (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Waited with towards rear, slow jump 3 out (normal 5 out), soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 42l behind Valley Of Thrushes (9-10) at Limerick 2m 6f Handicap Chase (0-123) (10yo+) hvy in Dec.
Pontiac (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Towards rear for most, no extra from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Sole Witness (11-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Mister Farmer (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Led and disputed early, dropped towards rear 5th, pulled up after 6th, in a race won by Tarquinius (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-116 sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Ardglen (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Not fluent 3rd, soon tracked leaders, mistake 8th, soon towards rear and ridden, no impression from before 4 out, 6th of 8, 38l behind Count Salazar (11-4) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 hvy in Dec.
Boland's Corner (GER) 25-1 (11-7) Well off pace towards rear, never a factor, kept on approaching straight, 5th of 10, 45l behind Beeverstown (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Karinga Queen (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th entering straight, left moderate 4th 2 out, kept on one pace under pressure, 4th of 11, 11l behind Panther Claw (11-11) at Punchestown 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-123) (5yo+) hvy.
Wise Oscar (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, improved into 2nd entering straight, led 2 out and soon stretched well clear, stayed on strongly from last, eased inside final furlong, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-116 hvy beating Miss Xian (10-9) by 8l, 9 ran.
Shellys Creek (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Led and clear early, reduced advantage halfway, ridden and strongly pressed after 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Tarquinius (10-9) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 hvy.
Sensational Sema (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along 3 out and no impression in 4th next, mistake last and no extra run-in, 6th of 10, 9l behind Clashnabrook (9-10) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Nov.
Valley Of Thrushes (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Always prominent, mainly 2nd, on terms and clear of remainder from before straight, ridden to gain narrow lead before last, stayed on well run-in to hold on at the line, won at Limerick 2m 6f Handicap Chase (0-123) (10yo+) hvy in Dec beating Toomdeely (10-9) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Right Strategy (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Tarquinius (11-5) at Leopardstown 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-116 sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Dunroe Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Closed up and disputed lead, a bit slow and headed from last, drifted left run-in, demoted to 4th, in a race won by Miss Xian (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy, 9 ran.
Lusiad (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inner, mistake and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Robertstown Rover (9-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Dec, 16 ran.
Spiker The Biker (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, close up and a bit slow 3 out, ridden to chase leaders from next, kept on under pressure without quite getting to principals closing stages, dead-heated for 3rd but promoted to a share of 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Miss Xian (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Royalor (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, no threat after 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 13l behind Popaflora (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-109) hvy.
