tracked leaders, mostly 3rd, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, blundered and unseated rider last
veered left start and very slowly away, in touch in rear from 2nd, ridden and weakened from 5 out, mistake 3 out, completely tailed off
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 4th and no extra 2 out, left remote 3rd from last, tailed off
made all, jumped well, drew clear 3 out, stayed on well, very easily
mostly 4th, not fluent 8th, slight mistake 5 out, progress after 3 out, moderate 2nd into straight, no impression when blundered 2 out, kept on same pace
A good performance by Noble Prince in the previous race will boost confidence in Healys Bar. He looks sure to run a big race regardless but THEGREATJOHNBROWNE could prove too good for him as well as the rest of the opposition. Noel Meade's representative made a promising start last year only to lose his way over hurdles as the season progressed. However, he was always a chaser in the making and proved the point with a fluent display of jumping and a comfortable victory over 2m4f here on his recent return to action. Erritt Lake and Sam Adams produced their best efforts over fences when last seen but useful hurdler Tharawaat could better them both if taking to fences after a year on the sidelines.
Erritt Lake (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, sent on after 5 out, a bit slow and joined next, mistake 3 out, led again and stayed on best under pressure from last, won at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs gd in Oct beating Loup Du Saubouas (11-12) by 3l, 15 ran.
Healys Bar (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, disputed after 2 out, headed run-in, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Noble Prince (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs in Oct.
Sam Adams (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th 6 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra, 4th of 7, 7l behind Back Of The Pack (10-12) at Cork 2m 4f Novice Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+) (1) hvy in Oct.
Thegreatjohnbrowne (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led after 2nd, asserted entering straight, kept on strongly from before last, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs in Oct beating Bostons Angel (11-12) by 6l, 18 ran.
Tharawaat (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Attempted to make all, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed 2 out, 3rd and no extra from last, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Jumbo Rio (11-6) at Limerick 2m 2f 4yo hdl in Oct '09.
