raced in 5th mainly, joined leader 29th, led approaching last, stayed on well, ridden out
made most, headed 9th until 11th, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on but no extra
mid-division, struggling in rear when mistake 21st, soon lost touch, pulled up after 24th
tracked leader, hit 4th, led 9th until 11th, ridden after 21st, stayed on same pace approaching last
mid-division, steady headway from 24th, ridden after 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on, closing at finish
mid-division, hit 12th, behind from 20th, pulled up after 24th
always in rear
mid-division, headway 26th, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on same pace
mistake 4th, stumbled 18th, always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway 19th, went 4th 21st, ridden after 25th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, struggling in rear when slithered to a halt 2 out
in touch until weakened 26th, in rear when blundered and unseated rider next
mid-division, hit 4th, headway 18th, mistake 20th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always in rear
tracked leaders, hit 19th, went 2nd and ridden after 24th, weakened 29th
Enda Bolger has an unenviable record in these races and is taken to win another race over the cross country course here with GARDE CHAMPETRE, who gets the vote ahead of stable companion L'ami and Wonderkid. The last mentioned won this event 12 months ago but Tony Martin's gelding has not run up to a similar level of form since that success so he looks best watched today. Pass Me By is closely matched with Garde Champetre and L'Ami on running here at the open meeting and Suzy Smith's gelding has to be considered on that evidence. L'Ami may do better today having had that run last month but he has more to do at the weights. Bolger is also represented by Drombeag and Heads Onthe Ground, who are closely matched on running at Puncestown last time and have to be considered but preference is for Garde Champetre. The nine-year-old has been the model of consistency in cross country races and he is taken to go one better than at the open meeting today.
Garde Champetre (FR) 13-8fav (11-8) Held up mid-division, mistake 20th, headway 24th, hit 27th, ridden to chase winner after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
L'ami (FR) 7-2 (10-10) Mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, went third briefly last, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 5l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 16-1 (11-8) In touch, headway 22nd, effort after 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 16, 18l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Pass Me By 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went second 10th to 23rd, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Nadover (FR) (10-10) In rear, mistake 17th, pulled up 5 out in race won by Sixteen (10-6) at Pardubice 4m 2f chs gd in Oct, 16 ran.
Wonderkid 11-2 (11-7) Towards rear when fell in race won by Secret Squirrel (10-4) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp chs 0-102 gd in Jul, 15 ran.
Heads Onthe Ground (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden and challenged approaching last where bad mistake and headed, no extra run-in, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Drombeag (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Nov.
Drombeag (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, closer in 5th 5 out, 4th 2 out, stayed on to challenge approaching last where led, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Nov beating Battle Axe (11-6) by 4l, 15 ran.
Philson Run (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up, blundered 3rd, struggling when blundered 16th, 7th of 13, well behind Black Apalachi (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Nov.
Florida Dream (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In touch, went 2nd 24th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 5th of 16, 16l behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Battle Axe (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway to 6th 6 out, ridden and no extra after 4 out, 7th of 18, 49l behind Arbor Supreme (10-8) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Nov.
Sorry Al (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division early, behind from 18th, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov.
Tawnies (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, improved to 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden in 5th no extra next, 4th and no impression before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Drombeag (11-4) at Punchestown 3m crs cty chs hvy in Nov.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 8th of 16, 31l behind Possol (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Il En Reve (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, progress into 3rd on outer 6 out, no impression from 4 out, 8th of 15, 21l behind Alickadoo (10-3) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs 0-123 gs in Oct.
Spare Change (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Mid-division, blundered 14th, hit next, headway before 4 out, soon ridden and struggling, 7th of 17, 28l behind Hoopy (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov.
