held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and detached before next, kept on one pace in straight to go moderate 4th run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, closer 2 out, ridden and no impression early straight, progress into 2nd when not fluent last, kept on under pressure run-in to lead final strides
led until headed 2nd, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra in 4th early straight, weakened, eased run-in
prominent and led 2nd, ridden and asserted briefly early straight, slight mistake last and soon challenged, kept on under pressure run-in, headed final strides
tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along before 2 out and no extra early straight, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden in 2nd early straight and no impression on leader, 3rd at last and kept on same pace run-in
CLONDAW COURT looks nailed on to get what should be another red letter day for Willie Mullins off to a successful start. A very easy winner between the flags on his debut, he was purchased for £130,000 before landing a Punchestown bumper by 27 lengths last November and looks yet another exciting prospect for the yard. Little Rocky was beaten a long way on his hurdling debut for Dessie Hughes but that was his first start for over a year and, as a three-times winner on the Flat for David Simcock, he can improve for the experience. Sizing Granite could prove a threat as he was travelling easily when unseating his rider on his point-to-point debut in May of last year after which he went for 68,000 euros at the sales. Dromnea ran a fine race behind the classy The Tullow Tank at Naas before finishing runner-up to the odds-on Rathvinden at Cork so he should get into the frame.
Ash Rowe (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Well off pace towards rear for much, never a factor, 11th of 16, well behind Home Farm (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f in Nov '12.
Clondaw Court (IRE) 2-5fav (12-0) Held up early, 3rd after 6f, improved to lead 3f out, eased clear from 2f out, impressive, won at Punchestown 2m N H flat hvy in Nov '12 beating De Glebe Star (11-7) by 27l, 6 ran.
Dromnea (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 4 out, headed next, no impression approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 24, 11l behind Rathvinden (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft.
Little Rocky 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left at 2nd and 4th, 7th 4 out, soon ridden, weakened straight, 13th of 25, 27l behind Upazo (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl in Nov.
Master Frankie (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and no extra before 3 out, 12th of 17, 47l behind Apache Jack (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Chsd ldrs, 5th running free aftr a mile, went 2nd aftr 5out & chall wnr with ev ch when mstk & ur 2out, in a race won by Bridies Boy (11-7) at Athlacca 3m ire ptp in May '12, 13 ran.
