soon distant 2nd, inclined to jump left, pushed along 2 out, soon no impression, kept on without troubling winner
led and well clear, took keen hold, mistake 4 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on well from before straight, unchallenged
soon distant 3rd, not fluent 4 out, pushed along from early straight, no impression when fell 2 out, remounted to complete
not fluent 1st, soon well behind in rear, pushed along 4 out, no danger after, left 3rd from 2 out
Willie Mullins complicates matters by saddling Shamar, whose two hurdles victories have come on fast going, and LUCKY BRIDLE, with preference for the latter. He beat the useful Orgilgo Bay on the Flat at Bellewstown in August when Shamar was behind and landed what looked a fair maiden over timber at Thurles a year ago. Theatre Mill has yet to show he handles this sort of ground but is capable of better while Wrong Turn has won three times over fences and makes his debut over hurdles.
Shamar (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd from 2 out, dropped to last at last, no impression, last of 4, 12l behind Taglietelle (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hdl gf in Oct.
Lucky Bridle (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Tracked leaders and took keen hold on inner, 4th 3 out, ridden from next, weakened entering straight, 13th of 18, 19l behind Cool Macavity (10-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Theatre Mill (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up, 10th after 3rd, closer in 5th 3 out, 6th before straight, no extra from 3 out, 9th of 11, 37l behind Gentleman Duke (9-10) at Cork 2m hcap ch in Oct.
Wrong Turn (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, closer in 9th 4 out, ridden and headway from next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Chartreux (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcap ch in May.
