Verdict

YEOMAN finally got off the mark over fences at the 17th time of asking at Galway last month and the assessor hasn't overreacted with a 5lb rise. David Splaine's claim completely wipes out the extra and a follow-up looks on the cards. Under The Spell has done nothing since a fine run at Roscommon in August and winning point-to-pointer and hurdler Dog Barrel Hill has been unplaced in all five starts over regulation fences. Clashnabrook, three times a winner over hurdles, has only had three runs over fences and could prove the main threat with his lowly weight.

Formwatch

Yeoman (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th after last, stayed on to lead early straight, kept on well under pressure, won at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 in Oct beating Venture Lazarus (10-13) by 2l, 12 ran.

Dog Barrel Hill (IRE) 5-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 3 out, no extra entering straight, weakened, 9th of 21, 50l behind Highdownhill (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 hvy in Oct.

Flying Windsor (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, fell 5 out, in a race won by Golden Sunbird (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft in Nov '11, 13 ran.

The Shoe Doctor (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, 7th 4 out, moderate 6th next, soon ridden, some progress into 4th when fell at last, in a race won by Mr Goodenough (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Oct, 10 ran.

Under The Spell (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bruff (10-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-109) sft in Sep, 15 ran.

Clairs Choice (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Always rear, hampered 5th, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Highdownhill (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 hvy in Oct, 21 ran.

Code Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division best, weakened 4 out, 14th of 17, well behind Carries Darling (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl.

Torremuelle (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, no extra from 5 out and behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Highdownhill (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 hvy in Oct, 21 ran.

Clashnabrook (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, no impression under pressure from after 2 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 16, 16l behind Coole Avenue (11-2) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Oct.

Macklycuddy (USA) 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division early, headway into 4th halfway, 2nd after 5 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Western Promise (10-6) at Listowel 3m hcp chs 0-102 hvy in Sep, 17 ran.