Enda Bolger won this three times in succession before Another Jewel interrupted the run last year. He should take it again with GARDE CHAMPETRE, who won this in 2008 and loves it around this cross-country course, as he does Cheltenham where he's a regular winner. Sizing Australia was beaten narrowly by the selection twice at Cheltenham and is a top-class performer in this sphere though amazingly he's won only once over fences in his life. Bolger has a new kid on the block in the five-year-old Mount Sion, a winner between the flags at Loughrea in October. One Cool Cookie has generally performed at a much higher level over regulation fences and ran a fine race behind Hello Bud in the Becher at Aintree last time. He's comfortably the top-rated here and would prove a major threat if taking to the track.
Bronte Bay (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Led, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, soon no extra under pressure, 11th of 17, 44l behind Jack The Bus (9-12) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov.
One Cool Cookie (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Towards rear, struggling 14th (foinavon), 6th and plenty to do 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Sizing Australia (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, led 18th, until 22nd, chased winner until before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Lacdoudal (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cntry chs (5yo+) (2) gs in Nov.
Benefit Night (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, 2nd 6 out, ridden from 4 out, moderate 4th next, no impression, 4th of 12, 30l behind Curragh Grey (10-10) at Thurles 2m 6f chs.
Chance Your Arm (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Mid-div, ridden along from 4out, no impression str, 6th of 9, well behind Fernhurst Lad (12-0) at Nenagh 3m ire ptp hvy.
Garde Champetre (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 8th after 3 out, ridden and progress next, moderate 3rd last, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 10l behind Benash (11-12) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23.
Lord Nellerie (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Led, headed 14th, led briefly 4 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd approaching last, no extra and kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 13l behind L'Ami (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) in Nov.
Merry Cowboy (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway in 6th before 5 out, 4th after 3 out, ridden in 6th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 15, 39l behind Drive On Jim (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy.
Not To Pushed (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Alw twrds rr, 12th 5out, mod 8th & no impr bef 2out, 9th of 15, 43l behind Springfield Way (12-0) at Boulta 3m ire ptp gd in Dec.
The Halfway Bar (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders mainly 5th, in touch 4 out, soon ridden and no extra from next, 4th of 7, 20l behind L'Ami (12-0) at Punchestown 3m crs cntry chs (5yo+) in Nov.
The Speedy Man (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) in a race won by Douce Vie (10-10) at Merano(ITY) 3m 6f lst chs hvy in Sep, 9 ran.
Mount Sion (IRE) 6-4 (11-7) Alw pr & ld, went on 2out, 2l adv & in control when lft cr last, won at Loughrea 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Drawn N Drank (11-7) by 8l, 12 ran.
