tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 4th over 2f out, soon no impression
always behind, no impression from 5f out, never a factor
led, ridden and joined over 2f out, led again 1f out, strongly pressed and joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
always towards rear, no impression from 5f out, never a factor
held up in rear, some progress into moderate 5th 3f out, soon pushed along, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, closer in 2nd 4f out, improved to dispute lead over 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd on outer 4f out, soon pushed along, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd under 1f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home
tracked leaders, pushed along 6f out, ridden and weakened from 4f out
Ask Henry started favourite for his debut at Clonmel but never looked like catching the impressive Castlebawn West. The winner's yard is represented by Vent D'Automne, who couldn't keep pace with Where Eagles Dare at Limerick. Noel Meade trains that winner and has Valdieu in here but he was beaten by Gordon Elliott's Invincible Cave when odds-on at Navan. Global Jackpot represents the latter's yard here and he'll improve for his run at Downpatrick but the vote in a tricky bumper goes to CASTLEBROOK. Jimmy Mangan's charge, a very impressive point-to-point winner, reverts to a bumper after two runs over hurdles and should soon be starting to fulfil his early potential.
Ask Henry (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no impression in 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 10 1/4l behind Castlebawn West (12-0) at Clonmel 2m hvy in Mar.
Berkeley Byron (IRE) Byron gelding out of Berkeley Bay.
Castlebrook (IRE) 4-9fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, close up before halfway and disputed 9th, slight mistake next, headed entering straight, soon ridden and no extra in 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Massey's Wood (11-12) at Thurles 3m mdn sft in Feb.
I Understand (IRE) Golan gelding out of Northern Gale.
Speirling (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Took keen hold and settled in mid-division, pushed along in 5th over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Rapid Escape (11-7) at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Valdieu (FR) 4-6fav (11-11) Ducked left at start, led, headed halfway, led again entering straight, ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong and no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Invincible Cave (11-11) at Navan 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Vent D'Automne (FR) 13-8fav (12-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to challenge 1 1/2f out, no impression in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Where Eagles Dare (12-0) at Limerick 2m hvy in Apr.
Total Diva (IRE) Flemensfirth M out of Dante's Blaze.
Global Jackpot 7-4 (12-0) Chased leader on outer, pushed along to challenge from 2 out and ridden to dispute over 1f out, soon headed and dropped to 3rd, no extra close and kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Getareason (12-0) at Downpatrick 2m 1f sft in Mar.
