Willie Mullins could have chosen an easier race for DARROUN to make his chasing debut though he's an exciting prospect and as he's only four he's receiving weight from all of his rivals. His maiden hurdle victory over subsequent Grade 1 winner Hisaabaat advertises his credentials and hopefully he can overcome his lack of experience and make a winning start. It's a surprise to see Plan A running in a beginners' chase as he's been a regular winner on the Flat and over hurdles. He's run well enough in his two starts over fences to be a big threat if the selection isn't quite ready for this. Darwins Fox finished just in front of him at Punchestown last month and as that was his first run over fences the Listed hurdle winner is another with strong credentials. Canaly didn't enjoy a clear run and made mistakes when pulling up at Kilbeggan in June but had produced a couple of much better efforts there earlier.
Battling Boru (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd before 4 out, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no extra, weakened straight, 6th of 10, well behind Foildubh (11-8) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl hvy in Oct.
Blaze Of Fire 9-1 (11-12) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Lookoutnow (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs sft, 7 ran.
Boland's Corner (GER) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace into 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Come To The Party (10-9) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 8Evens23.
Canaly (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Soon towards rear, slow jump and pushed along 6th, slightly hampered 5 out, soon no impression and pulled up before last, in a race won by Sin Palo (11-12) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f beg chase sft in Jun, 14 ran.
Darwins Fox (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, led from 4 out, ridden and headed after next, no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 12l behind Oscars Well (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
He'llberemembered (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, progress 3 out, close up approaching next where led, headed last, soon no extra, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 28l behind Lyreen Legend (11-10) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Oct.
Jack The Pirate (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Tillahow (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs, 16 ran.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Waited with towards rear, not always fluent jumping, closed 5 out, 2nd 2 out, led last, headed into straight, no extra and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Lyreen Legend (11-10) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Oct.
Lord Gale (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, no extra from 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Far Away So Close (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs hvy.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leader, led after 5th, headed 7th, disputed 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Argocat (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft in Oct.
Pass The Hat 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, attempted to run out at 2nd, moderate 6th 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 13, 36l behind Oscars Well (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
Pineau De Re (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, 9th 5 out, kept on same pace from before next, 9th of 16, 21l behind Tillahow (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs.
Plan A (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, pushed along next, moderate 4th 2 out, moderate 3rd at last, kept on, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Oscars Well (11-12) at Punchestown 2m beg chs sft in Oct.
Savello (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led and clear with 2nd, reduced advantage halfway, headed 5 out, mistake 4 out, close 3rd 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 31l behind Dylan Ross (11-12) at Navan 2m beg chs.
Sword Fish (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, well behind El Fontan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chs.
Darroun (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Soon disputed lead and niggled along at stages, headed from 2 out, no impression and slight stumble on roadway before straight, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Discoteca (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo hdl gf in May.
Lord Lir (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 7 out, strongly pressed and headed from 2 out, rallied well but not quite match winner closing stages, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Tillahow (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs.
Fine Presentation (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division best, mistake 4 out, soon no extra, 10th of 13, well behind Lyreen Legend (11-10) at Galway 2m 6f beg chs hvy in Oct.
Spot Fine 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, led 8th, strongly pressed early straight and headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Far Away So Close (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs hvy.
