Verdict

Balbir Du Mathan went for 300,000 euros at the sales after landing a Listed contest over hurdles at Auteuil. He joined Gordon Elliott but a fall when in front on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse last November affected his confidence and he's changed stables again. Willie Mullins had four potentially useful chasers engaged at the early stage and relies on Black Hercules. A winning point-to-pointer, bumper and Grade 3 hurdler, he ended the last campaign with a disappointing run in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham where he started favourite. There's every chance he'll make a smart chaser but might find the experience of ALL HELL LET LOOSE too much for him. Sandra Hughes' charge couldn't get to Ttebbob on his chasing debut at Thurles but the winner looks very useful and is expected to run a big race in the previous event. Georges Conn has now had seven runs over fences without winning but could hardly have done much better in the lucrative Troytown Handicap at Navan where he only just failed to concede stablemate Riverside City 10lb. He should go well in what should prove an informative contest.

Formwatch

All Hell Let Loose (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, slightly slow 1st, poor 4th approaching 8th, chased winner in moderate 2nd from 3 out, ridden to close straight, slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Ttebbob (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.

Balbir Du Mathan (FR) 9-10fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd at 7th, not fluent 9th, slow 11th, almost on terms when slight mistake 3 out, soon no impression in 3rd, mistake 2 out, slow jump last, no extra, 5th of 8, dist behind Thunder And Roses (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Black Hercules (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up in rear, some headway and 7th 2 out, never on terms and soon weakened, 7th of 19, 35 1/4l behind Martello Tower (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.

Fair Return 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, 8th halfway, progress 4 out and 4th approaching straight, no impression when mistake 2 out, no extra, 5th of 14, 33l behind Monksland (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.

Georges Conn (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, slight mistake 5th, 8th halfway, ridden before straight, kept on to challenge before 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, stayed on to challenge last and slight mistake, left 2nd, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Riverside City (9-13) at Navan 3m hcp sft in Nov.

Kerrieonvic (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, improved into 4th 3 out, soon edged right and brushed off rival, chased winner from 2 out and no impression, kept on same pace and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 12, 12 3/4l behind Damut (10-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.

Milanesque (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division on inner, no impression from 4 out, mistake next, never a factor, 8th of 18, dist behind Killer Miller (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Nov.

Patience Miner (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp sft in Sep.

Rare Legend (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, remote 10th before 3 out, kept on one pace, tailed off, 9th of 14, dist behind Monksland (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Nov.

Tairbheacha (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, bad mistake 3 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Douvan (11-12) at Navan 2m 1f sft in Nov.

The Winkler (IRE) 9-2fav (11-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge before 2 out, under pressure in 2nd and slight mistake last, kept on run-in to press winner close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Holeinthewall Bar (10-11) at Limerick 2m 5f hcp sft in Nov.

Upstager (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, slightly impeded 2nd, pushed along briefly after 7th, slight mistake next, soon no danger, 7th of 15, dist behind Ttebbob (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.