tracked leaders, 6th halfway, still well in touch when stumbled and unseated rider approaching 3 out
rear of mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, kept on same pace but no impression on winner run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 7th 6 out, no extra after 4 out, well beaten when slow 2 out and pulled up before last
rear of mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 13th
towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, chasing leaders but no impression approaching straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra from 5 out
towards rear, steady headway into 5th before 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace under pressure
led early, remained prominent tracking leader in 2nd, no extra after 4 out, weakened
always towards rear, driven along in rear halfway, pulled up before 6 out
always towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, 5th 6 out, fell 4 out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd 3 out, led before last and kept on well run-in
mid-division, 10th halfway, no extra from 3 out
rear of mid-division, never on terms, no threat from 4 out
led before 2nd, strongly pressed and headed approaching last, no extra run-in
mid-division, good headway into 3rd after 4 out, ridden and no extra in 4th approaching last
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 6 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened
The last time Inoma James won a race it was in this gruelling event in 2010 and he's only 3lb higher here. The further he goes the better, a remark that also applies to SMOKING ACES, who beat today's rival Portrait King over 3m5f at Fairyhouse in December when the mud was flying. He has an entry at Aintree and gets the vote here though there are numerous dangers including the runner-up, and Willie Mullins' Up The Beat, who was having just his second start over fences when slamming subsequent winner and today's rival Marble House at Fairyhouse. The aptly-named In Great Form has been handed a 14lb rise for his victory at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day which looks excessive and Drive On Jim has been raised 10lb for beating Miss Pepperpot over 3m here last month.
Start Me Up (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Soon tracked leaders, a bit slow in jumping early, travelling well in 4th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Seabass (10-6) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec.
Up The Beat 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, closer in 2nd before straight, on terms travelling well 2 out, soon led and clear approaching last, good jump, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chs hvy in Dec beating Marble House (11-5) by 11l, 15 ran.
Tinakellylad (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 11th 5 out, no impression approaching straight, 9th of 18, well behind On His Own (10-2) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs sft in Jan.
Leggy Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear early, headway into 6th halfway, close up in 2nd 5 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, soon no extra, 6th of 11, 41l behind Last Time D'albain (10-9) at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 hvy in Dec.
Smoking Aces (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Towards rear for most, some late headway straight, never a factor, 11th of 26, 15l behind Cross Appeal (10-4) at Leopardstown 3m hcp chs 0-145 in Dec.
Florida Express (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, bad mistake 4th, lost place approaching 7th, soon no danger, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Gentle Alice (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Jan, 15 ran.
In Great Form (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, good headway to lead 2 out, asserted and in command from before last, greatly eased run-in, very easily, won at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Jan beating Andrea's Answer (9-10) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Lurgan (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place and pushed along after 7 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Prince Of Forwards (10-6) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Jan.
Streets Of Gold (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th 3 out, no extra approaching straight, weakened, 10th of 25, 41l behind Jetson (10-9) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec.
Hidden Crack 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place 6 out, moderate 7th before straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 15, 17l behind Gentle Alice (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 sft in Jan.
Marble House (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, closed up to challenge from before 2 out, soon led, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Tramore 2m 5f beg chs sft in Dec beating Too Wild For Der (11-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Portrait King (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Always prominent and disputed lead, led after 2 out, strongly pressed and joined last, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Smoking Aces (10-7) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Dec.
Droim Toll (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, some headway into 4th approaching 4 out, no extra in 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 32l behind Drive On Jim (10-2) at Punchestown 3m hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Inoma James (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 5th 5 out, ridden to chase winner approaching straight, soon dropped to 4th and no impression from before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind The Bosses Nephew (10-10) at Limerick 2m 6f Handicap Chase (0-123) (9yo+) hvy in Dec.
Miss Pepperpot (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Led, strongly pressed and headed approaching straight, no impression on winner from well before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Drive On Jim (10-2) at Punchestown 3m hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan.
Drive On Jim (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to go close 2nd before 2 out where slight mistake, soon led and asserted before last, kept on well, won at Punchestown 3m hcp chs 0-123 hvy in Jan beating Miss Pepperpot (10-11) by 7l, 10 ran.
Dr Doocey (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Led, joined after 3 out, headed before straight, soon no impression, 5th of 16, 37l behind Come To The Party (11-7) at Limerick 3m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Jan.
