chased leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd from 15th, improved to lead 4 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, asserted before last where slightly slow jump and pressed, kept on well run-in
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 7th 4 out, soon ridden, no extra before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway into 8th 4 out, ridden in 6th and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division early, soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to press winner last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace
mid-division early, 7th halfway, fell 6 out
mid-division, headway into 5th 6 out, improved to 2nd 4 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra in 3rd last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, 11th 4 out, no impression in moderate 8th before 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out where fell
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, 7th 6 out, ridden and no extra after 4 out
led, headed 4 out, soon ridden and no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 18th, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up after 6 out
towards rear for most, never a factor
towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden in 6th 6 out, no extra 4 out
The 2011 RSA Chase winner Bostons Angel hasn't won a race subsequently. That was his third successive Grade 1 victory and he's clear on official ratings though these cross country events are a law unto themselves and he was beaten fairly and squarely by ARABELLA BOY over the track and trip on similar going in November. Like the winner, he travelled to Cheltenham for the Glenfarclas a month later and ran a superb race when runner-up to Outlaw Pete to whom he was conceding 13lb. Arabella Boy was just starting to make ground when unshipping Nina Carberry at the sixth-last that day and though there looks very little between the pair again it's the latter who is just handed the vote. Uncle Junior also came to grief at the same obstacle at Cheltenham having won very easily there earlier so he has to be a threat but stablemate Shakerviltz is held by the selection on their earlier run here. The selections's stablemate Love Rory is making his debut over the track but has won between the flags, though he's very young for this kind of race and looks one for the future.
Arabella Boy (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Mid-division, struggling 26th, behind when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Outlaw Pete (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Bostons Angel (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, headway 26th, challenged 2 out, ridden to chase winner and every chance last, no impression flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Outlaw Pete (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 14th of 28, 39l behind Colbert Station (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 sft in Dec.
Big Shu (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Keen hold, soon mid-division, good progress approaching 6 out, closer in 3rd 4 out, no extra in moderate 5th and kept on same pace from before 2 out, 7th of 17, 10l behind Warne (11-0) at Listowel 3m hts chs in Jun.
Jacks Island (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inner, ridden and no extra after 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Moving On (10-11) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-102 in Jan.
Long Strand (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outer, headway into 4th after halfway, 7th 4 out and no extra in 8th entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 36l behind Equus Maximus (11-7) at Thurles 3m hts chs hvy in Jan.
Shakervilz (FR) 11-1 (10-3) In touch, headway 26th, outpaced 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 16l behind Outlaw Pete (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Sizing Australia (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 6 out, 6th and outpaced when blundered next, soon weakened, 6th of 16, well behind Uncle Junior (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Clear Hills (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 9th 3 out, no threat and kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 16, 38l behind Madam Bovary (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan.
De Danu (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Tr ldrs, 4th 1/2way, sn wknd, pu last, in a race won by Montana Slim (12-0) at Kilfeacle 3m ire ptp hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Lord Nellerie (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Led, took wrong course after 5th, continued in lead, headed 3 out, soon ridden and no extra (disqualified), in a race won by Arabella Boy (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Nov, 14 ran.
Moka De L'Isle (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon no extra, last of 11, well behind Fahamore (11-2) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy in Jan.
Paco Jack (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Chased leaders mainly 7th, headway 3 out and 4th when not fluent next, ridden and no impression approaching last where left 3rd, kept on well run-in, just failed, 2nd of 9, ns behind Rockyaboya (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Jan.
Sartorious (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 24, well behind Uncle Junior (12-7) at Punchestown 4m 1f crs cntry chs (5yo+) hvy in Apr.
Love Rory (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Led or disputed lead, led 7th, ridden and headed entering straight, dropped to 4th after 2 out and no extra, 4th of 5, 18l behind Ballycasey (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Another Jewel (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Held up behind, some headway under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 8th of 11, 30l behind Outlaw Pete (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) hvy in Dec.
Dom Fontenail (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Rr of mid-div best, pu last, in a race won by Nedzer's Return (12-0) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp hvy in Oct, 9 ran.
