mid-division, slight mistake 6th, weakened from 4 out, never a factor
always prominent, disputed lead from 7th, led 3 out, went clear and not fluent 2 out, pushed along approaching last. stayed on strongly run-in, easily
tracked leaders, mistake and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 6th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, slight mistake next, no impression before last
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 4 out, soon no impression
mid-division, progress 4 out, ridden in 4th next, moderate 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, not trouble winner
towards rear, pushed along and trailing 6th, ridden in moderate 7th 3 out, no impression
held up in rear and took keen hold, some progress 4 out, ridden in 5th next, moderate 4th 2 out, 3rd when mistake at last, no extra
soon led, clear from 4th, reduced advantage 6th, joined from 7th, headed and ridden 3 out,slight mistake 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, kept on same pace run-in
towards rear, some progress into 7th when mistake 4 out and soon no impression and pulled up before next
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, moderate 6th when slight mistake 2 out, no impression
Irish Thistle landed a novice chase at Navan last January and has mainly competed at a high level subsequently, though without looking like winning. Toon River scored over a slightly shorter trip here last month then failed to take advantage of a much lower hurdles rating at Thurles. ORPHEUS VALLEY won the richly-endowed Guinness Handicap at the Punchestown Festival last April and, though he's come nowhere near that form subsequently, is only 1lb higher and a chance is taken on a return to form. Is Herself About is a consistent performer over hurdles and fences but more leniently treated over the smaller obstacles as is Treat Yourself, though the latter will love the going. Rafi De Triana continues to climb the ratings without winning and his only victory to date came over hurdles off a mark of 85. Black Zero completed a hat-trick at the backend of last year but couldn't handle the weight rise at Clonmel last month.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistakes, 3rd halfway, blundered 8th, no extra in 4th after 2 out, blundered last, last of 4, 21l behind Rubi Light (11-3) at Thurles 2m 2f chs 0-145 in Feb.
Toon River (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) Prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, led before 4 out, joined 3 out and headed after next, under pressure and challenged last where not fluent, 3rd and no impression run-in, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Captainofthefleet (11-3) at Thurles 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Orpheus Valley (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Soon mid-division, 9th early, 5th from 7th, dropped to moderate 12th before straight, no extra, 12th of 15, well behind Page Turner (10-5) at Limerick 2m 3f hcap ch in Dec.
Is Herself About (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Led, extended lead 7th, headed and 2nd at last, kept on same pace run-in,, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Sir Scorpion (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl sft in Feb.
Forty Foot Tom 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 4th from 6th, lost place and under pressure into straight, no impression from before 2 out, no extra, 8th of 13, 38l behind Toon River (11-6) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp chs in Feb.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 10th 4 out, ridden after next, soon no impression, 8th of 15, 31l behind Foxrock (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan.
Rafi De Triana (FR) 8-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, progress into 6th and ridden 2 out, went 3rd at last, kept on without threatening to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Paddy O Dee (10-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp chs in Jan.
Caolaneoin (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Towards rear, 9th before straight, moderate 7th 2 out, moderate 6th at last, one pace, 5th of 13, 12l behind Strongpoint (10-10) at Naas 2m hcp chs sft in Feb.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon led, clear from after 4th, slightly reduced lead 8th, headed 3 out, soon no impression in 4th, left 3rd and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 19l behind Toubaloo (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chase in Feb.
Decade Player (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) Led and soon clear, reduced advantage before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure run-in, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Dick Dundee (10-9) at Gowran Park 2m 1f cond hcap hdle in Jan.
Black Zero (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, no impression before straight, left moderate 3rd and hampered 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 12, 28l behind Coolaghknock Glebe (10-5) at Clonmel 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-123 in Feb.
