chased leaders, mistake 15th, soon ridden, lost place 22nd, weakened 24th
held up in rear, blundered 15th, some headway and 6th after 2 out, went 4th last, stayed on, never on terms
mid-division, headway from 27th, went 2nd and carried left last, led final 100 yards, stayed on well
always towards rear, pulled up before 8 out
mid-division, not fluent 4th, 6th and no impression from 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden 19th, fell next
always towards rear
chased leader until 7th, went 2nd 14th, led after 2 out, went left last, headed final 100 yards, stayed on same pace
in rear, well behind when hampered 6 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 13th
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until 14th, mistake 27th, every chance after 2 out, 3rd and one pace last, no extra flat
mid-division, headway 18th, blundered 25th, weakened after 2 out
led, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, weakened last
held up towards rear, behind when fell 27th
A number of these are old rivals, though Josies Orders is a relative newcomer to cross-country chases and beat ANY CURRENCY in a handicap over course and distance last month. Martin Keighley's old stager is now a massive 23lb better off, however, and will surely turn the tables with a clear round – he comes alive over these unique fences. Bless The Wings, Kilbree Kid and Rivage D'Or look to have little chance of reversing the form on worse terms but Sire Collonges was close up when slipping up on the final circuit and he did give the selection weight and a beating in this in 2013 – the grey would have every chance if back to that sort of form. Love Rory has the past form to figure but On His Own is looking a light of former days and stablemate Uncle Junior will turn 15 on New Year's Day. French raider Martalin would need to improve again to get involved.
Any Currency (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Always prominent, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden and headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Josies Orders (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Bless The Wings (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, 6th halfway, closer in 5th 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, 2nd last, soon stayed on to lead run-in, kept on well under pressure closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Forever Gold (10-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Josies Orders (IRE) 11-4fav (10-2) In touch, blundered 6 out, driven to chase leaders 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, kept on, won at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Any Currency (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Kilbree Kid (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) In touch, blundered 6 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, dist behind Josies Orders (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Martalin (FR) (11-4) 6th of 9, 34 1/2l behind Saga Win (10-5) at Strasbourg 2m 3f gd in May.
On His Own (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Soon chased leaders, slight mistake 7th, pushed along briefly 14th, no impression from before 2 out, 7th of 16, 22l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Rivage D'Or (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, struggling when blundered 6 out, never dangerous, tailed off, 9th of 16, dist behind Josies Orders (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Sire Collonges (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leader from 4th, led briefly 18th, blundered 3 out, 4th and driven when slipped up on bend after next, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Behind, headway into mid-division halfway, driven to chase leaders when slipped up on bend after 6 out, at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Love Rory (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Soon prominent, chased winner and no impression from 2 out, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 16, 3 3/4l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Ballyboker Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Soon disputed lead, headed from 14th, remained prominent, slow 5 out, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 16, 21l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Mtada Supreme (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Towards rear, improved 16th, soon chased leaders, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 15 1/2l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
Valadom (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Led, headed briefly 19th, headed between last 2, soon weakened, left modest 4th last, 4th of 16, 21 1/4l behind Josies Orders (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 6f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
First To Boogie (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, no impression and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Quantitativeeasing (11-4) at Punchestown 3m sft in Nov.
