DAMUT tackles this trip for the first time over hurdles but looks as though he will be ideally suited after ploughing through the Cork mud for his fourth successive victory. He's penalised and faces better opposition but can continue his winning ways. Gangster bounced back from a disappointing run at Galway in July with an easy victory over the minimum trip at Listowel. An entry in a Grade 1 next month suggests he's well regarded so has to be a threat. Last Encounter has struggled in better company after his Wexford maiden victory though he did finish in front of Cogryhill in the Grade 2 Monksfield at Navan last month. The four-year-old Cheiliuradh was the shock winner of a Wexford maiden and was in the process of running a big race when coming down at the last in a Grade 3 at Cork.
Damut (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up, soon rear of mid-division, closed and not much room when slight mistake 4 out, on terms travelling smoothly into straight, soon led, jumped slightly right 3 out, soon pushed clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov beating Federici (10-4) by 12l, 12 ran.
Gangster (FR) 5-4fav (11-5) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed from 4th, led next, asserted before 2 out, pushed out briefly after 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Listowel 2m sft in Sep beating After Rain (11-5) by 8l, 6 ran.
Cogryhill (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, ridden in 3rd before straight, no extra in 5th 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Falcon Crest (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Last Encounter (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Mid-division, 5th halfway, closer in 4th entering straight, ridden 3 out, no impression next and left 3rd, kept on one pace from before last, 3rd of 9, 8 1/4l behind Falcon Crest (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f (1) sft in Nov.
Cheiliuradh (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Raced in rear, closer in 4th before 3 out and soon ridden, no impression in 3rd from before last where fell, at Cork 3m (1) sft in Nov.
