led 3rd until 6th, tracked leaders, led 25th until hit 27th, led approaching last, ridden out
in touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, soon one pace
held up, low jump 18th, stumbled 21st, headway 25th, effort after 2 out, kept on same pace
held up behind, mistake 6th, short lived efforts 27th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led 9th, pecked 21st, headed 24th, led 27th, hit 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
in touch, ridden to challenge after 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division until lost place 10th, headway 3 out, soon ridden, one pace flat
towards rear, mistake 12th, good headway 3 out, effort approaching last, one pace flat
towards rear, mistake 20th, headway 23rd, hit 25th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway 17th, hit 27th, weakening when ran out 3 out
fell 4th
led until 3rd, chased leaders, led 6th until 9th, close up until dropped behind 25th, blundered 4 out
Spot Thedifference gets the confident vote here with Le Duc and Heads Onthe Ground rating the main dangers. The selection is a three stone better horse round here that anywhere els and won well over course and distance last time out when beating Star Performance, he looks sure to have the race run to suit and with this in mind he is hard to oppose. Le Duc rates the main danger on his latest seventh behind Eurotrec, he will be suited by this longer trip but he is not proven on this unique track and is taken on with this in mind. Heads Onthe Ground is a stable companion of the selection and should be noted in the market but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find.Plum'tee is from a shrewd French yard and is another to note in the market while Silver Birch has won over the national fences in the past and is another with place claims but for the winner we return to course specialist Spot Thedifferance.
Spot Thedifference (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Soon settled in mid-division, went 6th 12th, led 5 out, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gd in Nov beating Star Performance (10-10) by 1l, 14 ran.
Silver Birch (IRE) (12-0) 3rd of 7, 8l behind Captain Moonlight (12-0) at Castletown Geog' 3m ire ptp frm in Nov.
Le Duc (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, hit 4th, in 6th when blundered 15th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 7th of 21, 20l behind Eurotrek (11-7) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov.
Ivoire De Beaulieu (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, went 9th at 16th, no chance from 5 out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gd in Nov.
Plum'tee (FR) 13-2 (11-5) In touch when slipped up at the 5th in race won by Spot Thedifference (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Heads Onthe Ground (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, progress into moderate 2nd 6 out, ridden 2 out, improved to dispute lead approaching last, kept on well under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Never Compromise (11-1) at Punchestown 3m crs cty.
Lonesome Day (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Settled 4th, 5th before 4 out, 3rd and headway approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Never Compromise (11-1) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs sft in Nov.
Wonderkid 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division, moderate 6th 4 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 14, 21l behind Never Compromise (11-1) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs sft in Nov.
Le Jaguar (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, driven along after 10th, no danger when mistake 3 out, 6th of 10, 21l behind Darby Wall (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Eskimo Pie (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up, blundered 11th, never dangerous, 11th of 20, 43l behind I Hear Thunder (11-2) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Thieves'glen 14-1 (11-12) Led until mistake 4 out, weakened before next, 6th of 15, 38l behind The Hardy Boy (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Blazing Batman 150-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, behind from next, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Massini's Maguire (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
