A cracking race in prospect with nothing ruled out. Captain Cj has a penalty for an impressive Grade 2 victory on heavy ground at Navan in February and the concession of 8lb to THE SHUNTER may just prove beyond him on his reappearance. Emmet Mullins' charge landed a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in September before a very easy victory over fences a few days later and can land a hat-trick. Polished Steel is also penalised for his two victories over fences and his latest effort when just failing to concede 23lb to Zarkareva in a Punchestown Grade 3 was a superb performance. Home By The Lee and Ministerforsport battled it out at Limerick with preference just for the former again while Rapid Response ran very well behind Court Maid at Fairyhouse with Anything Will Do just behind.
Captain Cj (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leaders, a little slow at 3rd and lost position, pushed along briefly and closed approaching straight, led approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 3m (1) hvy in Feb beating Elwood (11-3) by 6l, 6 ran.
Polished Steel (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led and clear, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, led again approaching last, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Zarkareva (10-1) at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Anything Will Do (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leader, slight mistake at 3rd, 4th before 9th, progress to 2nd after 3 out, strongly challenged leader 2 out, led before last, headed at last, dropped to 3rd and one paced run-in, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Court Maid (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Oct.
Foxy Jacks (IRE) 8-11fav (12-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, closed up travelling smoothly straight, on terms after 3 out, led from 2 out and quickly asserted, stayed on well run-in, very easily, won at Cork 2m 4f gd in Oct beating Coral Blue (12-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Home By The Lee (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Chased leaders early, mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, moderate 3rd 5 out, 4th and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on in 3rd before 2 out, pressed leader before last, disputed last, stayed on best run-in, won at Limerick 2m 6f sft in Oct beating Ministerforsport (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ministerforsport (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Close up and disputed at times, mistake 6th, 3rd and slight mistake next, dropped to 5th 7 out, moderate 3rd 4 out, ridden and closed up before 2 out, pressed leader before last, disputed last, 2nd and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Home By The Lee (12-0) at Limerick 2m 6f sft in Oct.
The Shunter (IRE) 11-10fav (12-0) Settled mid-division early, mistake 4th, soon closer and chased leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 9th, improved to dispute 4 out, led next, jumped left 2 out, ridden to assert before last, slow and mistake last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 5f Yielding - Soft in Sep beating Enjoy D'allen (12-0) by 18l, 10 ran.
Trainwreck (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) In touch in mid-division, closed before 9th, lost place after 3 out, soon behind, 13th of 20, dist behind Imperial Aura (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Heaven Help Us (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, left in lead after 1st, headed at 3rd, disputed at 6th, led narrowly 4 out, travelled well before 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding in Oct beating Surin (11-9) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Rapid Response (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Prominent on outer, improved to 2nd after 1st, on terms 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed 2 out, headed before last, kept on one pace in 2nd run-in, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Court Maid (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f Yielding in Oct.
Waitnsee (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Disputed until led 5th, pushed along and pressed after 3 out, headed entering straight, ridden and no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Galvin (11-7) at Tipperary 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
