tracked leaders, 3rd for much, improved to be almost on terms 5 out, no impression under pressure in 2nd and kept on same pace closing stages
tracked leader in 2nd, on terms 5 out, soon led, jumped a little left 2 out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led, jumped a bit left 4th, joined 5 out, soon headed, remained prominent, no impression under pressure in 3rd and kept on same pace closing stages
tracked leaders, 4th for much, beaten when pecked last, no extra
raced last of the 5, some progress on outer before 2 out, 4th and no impression from last, no extra straight
A small field but plenty of winners should emerge. SHADOW EILE made a winning start over fences before falling when challenging at the last over this course last month. She finished lame on fast ground at Roscommon last time and gets a chance to return to winning ways with her allowance. Six Stone Ned did very well to finish runner-up to the potentially useful Art Of Logistics in a Grade 3 at Punchestown and, with more to come, looks a big threat while the progressive Shrapnel made a bright start over fences at Fairyhouse and will be even better suited by today's conditions. Clar Na Mionn made a winning debut over fences at Roscommon and produced an even better performance behind Rebel Fitz at Tipperary and along with the five-year-old Foxrock, a winning point-to-pointer and hurdler, make this an intriguing contest.
Clar Na Mionn (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th after 3 out, no impression in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening into 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Rebel Fitz (11-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f nov chs (1) gd.
Shrapnel (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, headway to dispute approaching straight and led after 2 out, ridden and headed last where not fluent, ralllied under pressure run-in to regain lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m beg chs gf beating Usa (11-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Six Stone Ned (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Led, headed briefly 7th, strongly pressed early straight and headed 2 out, no impression on winner when not fluent last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Art Of Logistics (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gd.
Ted Dolly (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Soon mid-division, moderate 7th after 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace from before last, 8th of 14, 24l behind Liberty's Gift (10-11) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl gd.
Shadow Eile (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, under pressure in 5th approaching straight, weakened 2 out, lame behind, last of 8, 39l behind Darwins Fox (11-1) at Roscommon 2m nov chs (1) gf in Sep.
Foxrock (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Led and disputed, led 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, strongly pressed and narrowly headed briefly at last, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Naas 3m mdn hdl sft in Mar beating Wedding Present (11-12) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
