tracked leaders when unseated rider 4th (Rubys Double)
tracked leader mainly 2nd, stumbled badly on landing 13th (Old Double), ridden 3 out, soon no extra and dropped to moderate 4th after next
tracked leaders mainly 3rd, closer from 20th, pushed along to go 2nd after 3 out, challenged approaching last where led, driven out and kept on well run-in
always towards rear, slow 6th (drop bank) and again at 16th (laurel bank), behind when pulled up before 21st
led, driven along after 3 out, strongly pressed fom 2 out, headed at last where slight mistake, no extra and kept on one pace run-in
tracked leaders mainly 4th, 3rd at 15th, stumbled on landing at 22nd (Rubys Double) and dropped to moderate 4th, kept on one pace in straight without threatening
always behind, trailing from 21st, pulled up after 4 out
GARDE CHAMPETRE won this in 2008 before taking the Cross Country handicap at Cheltenham the following month, a race he also won a year later. He wasn't in the same kind of form when beaten at The Festival last year but arrives here in good heart having had a nice pipe-opener in a handicap hurdle at Naas last month. One Cool Cookie is a high-class chaser on his day and stays extreme distances. Whether he will adapt to this unique track is another matter but if he does he could be a real threat to the selection's dominance of the division. Lord Nellerie was third in this a year ago and is generally thereabouts. He looks a good each-way bet as he's the most likely to take advantage if the principals don't come up to scratch. Benefit Night has run well on the track in the past but hasn't been in the best of form lately.
One Cool Cookie (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Towards rear, struggling 14th (foinavon), 6th and plenty to do 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 17, 11l behind Hello Bud (10-5) at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Benefit Night (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Prominent, 2nd 6 out, ridden from 4 out, moderate 4th next, no impression, 4th of 12, 30l behind Curragh Grey (10-10) at Thurles 2m 6f chs in Jan.
Garde Champetre (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 8th after 3 out, ridden and progress next, moderate 3rd last, stayed on, 2nd of 19, 10l behind Benash (11-12) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Jan.
How Are Things (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mistake and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Freneys Well (11-7) at Punchestown 3m 1f crs cntry chs (5yo+) sft in May '09, 19 ran.
Lord Nellerie (FR) 4-5 (12-0) Ld from start, hdd 3rd double bank, alws held after, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Gothic Love (11-9) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp sft in Nov.
Merry Cowboy (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway in 6th before 5 out, 4th after 3 out, ridden in 6th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 15, 39l behind Drive On Jim (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Jan.
Olympe De Touzaine (FR) 5-1 (12-0) Mid div, 5th 1/2way, sn no ex, pu before last, in a race won by Top Twig (12-0) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp gd in Dec, 11 ran.
The Speedy Man (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) in a race won by Douce Vie (10-10) at Merano(ITY) 3m 6f lst chs hvy in Sep, 9 ran.
