Clan Tara is very lightly-raced for his age and turned his attentions to chasing last year after a successful debut season over timber where he landed a Grade 2 novice event at Thurles narrowly from The Bishop Looney. He looks to have more scope than the runner-up and confirm the form on slightly worse terms. The classy chaser Notre Pere is 20lb lower in the ratings over hurdles so don't be surprised by a big run and though The Burrow Vic scored over the bigger obstacles at Sligo he has some fine hurdling form and must be a threat. CAYO LEVANTADO landed a touch, and not for the first time, over the C&D early last month when staying on strongly off a fast pace. Not surprisingly the handicapper has put him up 10lb but he can defy the extra and follow up.
Footy Facts (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led early, prominent, weakened 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind The Shepherd (10-0) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov.
Notre Pere (FR) 8-1 (11-12) In touch, bumped 4th, lost place when hampered 13th (bechers brook), 5th and no impression when hit 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 17, 26l behind Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Clan Tara (IRE) 8-11fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway to be close up from before 4 out, travelling best 3 out, led before 2 out, clear from before last where slightly slow, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs hvy in Dec '09 beating Prudent Honour (11-12) by 4l, 17 ran.
The Bishop Looney (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd 4 out, disputed lead briefly before 2 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ainama (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Nov.
Empire Theatre (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, weakened after halfway, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Quito De La Roque (11-5) at Fairyhouse 3m nov hcp hdl hvy in Apr, 25 ran.
Brave Betsy (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, driven along in moderate 6th before 2 out, kept on under pressure without threatening leaders, 4th of 18, 15l behind Tilly Ann (9-12) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Nov.
Hotterthanjuly (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Towards rear, struggling from 4 out, no impression approaching straight, 7th of 10, 36l behind The Shepherd (10-0) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 0-140 in Nov.
Sharekan (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division throughout, 19th of 25, well behind Dolphin Bay (11-2) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov.
Siege Of Ennis (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders in 6th, mistake 4th, dropped to rear 4 out, 7th 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Grangeclare Gold (11-0) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl gf in Oct.
The Burrow Vic (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th 6 out, 2nd next, led 2 out, strongly pressed after last, ran on well under pressure to assert close home, won at Sligo 3m hcp chs 0-116 in Sep beating Galway Legend (9-13) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Cayo Levantado (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway in 8th entering straight, improved in 5th 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Navan 2m 7f hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Nov beating Killeenmore (11-2) by 3/4l, 21 ran.
First Row (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 4th 5 out, under pressure in 6th 3 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 7l behind Darling Harbour (10-9) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Nov.
Artiste Bay (FR) 7-2fav (10-6) Tracked leaders in moderate 5th, progress into 3rd halfway, took closer order before 5 out, ridden 3 out, no impression when mistake 2 out, no extra, 4th of 9, 16l behind Dream Honours (10-5) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 fm in Sep.
Current Resession (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up, some progress from before 6 out, 9th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 10l behind Killeenmore (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Nov.
