Verdict

Very testing ground puts the chase events in doubt but the conditions shouldn't prove a problem for Far Away So Close and he looks certain to go well. Paul Nolan's useful hurdler will be returning from a long break and though slightly disappointing in his two starts after falling on his debut over fences he has the class to make a decent chaser. Noel Meade has already introduced some decent novices to fences this season and has another in the shape of Il Fenomeno, a Grade 3 winner over timber and placed at Grade 1 level. He's also won five times on the Flat and there's every chance he'll do very well over the bigger obstacles. MOUNT BENBULBEN, who beat Rebel Fitz in a Grade 2 over hurdles at Navan last November, makes his eagerly awaited debut over fences and is handed the vote in a race that should provide plenty of clues for the future. Boss Croaker, an improver over timber, has fitness on his side but faces some exciting prospects.

Formwatch

Baby Whizz (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Dazzling Susie (11-5) at Clonmel 2m beg chase gs in Jun.

Castle Anshan (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th 6 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Devil's Elbow (11-5) at Down Royal 2m 4f beg chase gf in May.

Dingaling (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Waited with, progress to chase leaders approaching straight, 5th 3 out, moderate 6th and kept on same pace from before next, 6th of 12, 16l behind Caim Hill (10-13) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl in Aug.

Far Away So Close (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Disputed early, chased leader from before 4th, led 2 out, challenged entering straight, ridden and headed run-in, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Colbert Station (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase in Jan.

Il Fenomeno (ITY) 5-1 (11-7) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Alderwood (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.

Mount Benbulben (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, headway 8th, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 20, 20l behind Brindisi Breeze (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.

Take The Ban (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, fell 5 out, in a race won by Sraid Padraig (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft, 16 ran.

Whats On The Menu (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 4th before straight, closed to challenge 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Perfect Smile (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f beg chs hvy in Dec.

Boss Croaker (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Soon mid-division, closed travelling well straight, ridden to challenge around bypassed last, soon led and stayed on well, won at Cork 3m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in May beating Wellforth (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 22 ran.

Tales Of Milan (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, fell last, in a race won by Sraid Padraig (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft, 16 ran.

Kalico Kim (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, no impression from 3 out, 8th of 18, 13l behind Realt Den Chathair (11-10) at Clonmel 3m Handicap Hurdle (80-109) (5yo+) gf in Sep.

Mrs Henderson 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 33l behind Flying Light (11-12) at Galway 2m mdn hdl sft in Sep.