led, joined into straight, headed 2 out, rallied well to lead again before last, stayed on well run-in
raced in 3rd, mistake 5 out, slight mistake next and pushed along briefly, under pressure into straight, soon no impression, mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
raced in rear, not fluent 4 out, bad mistake next, no impression straight, soon no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 6 out, improved to get on terms into straight, travelled smoothly to lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, soon no impression, kept on same pace
Draycott Place had been competing at a much higher level before making all for a convincing victory at Downpatrick. He should go well again though this is tougher with SHIELD taken to confirm the promise of his Cork maiden victory. Drying ground will aid his cause and he can see off the challenge of The Plan Man, a very easy Cork maiden winner before taking on better company at Punchestown. Taglietelle was in fine shape before heading to Down Royal where he started odds-on but had no answer to The Housekeeper. The fast ground could have been responsible so he could do with some rain.
Draycott Place (IRE) 4-6fav (11-4) Made all, pushed along and went clear after last, eased close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl gd beating Slim Pickens (10-11) by 5l, 11 ran.
Shield (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, closer order 3 out, challenged next, led run-in and stayed on well, won at Cork 2m mdn hdl beating Fruits Of Molly (11-12) by 3l, 24 ran.
Mossy Island (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, remote 7th before straight, dropped to remote 8th and kept on same pace from 2 out, 8th of 17, 41l behind Katie T (11-4) at Naas 2m mdn hdl in Feb.
The Plan Man (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression early straight, 4th at last and kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 13, 9l behind Arctic Fire (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nh nov hdl.
Taglietelle 9-10fav (11-8) Held up off in last, moderate last halfway, some progress from 4 out, improved into 2nd and ridden 3 out, kept on same pace in moderate 2nd from 2 out, 2nd of 5, 10l behind The Housekeeper (11-1) at Down Royal 2m 6f hdl gf.
Red Flight (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, 9th approaching 6 out, lost place from before straight, soon no extra, 13th of 21, 33l behind Kilnockin Lady (11-7) at Cork 2m 4f mares mdn hdl.
Dark Approach (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 7th over 4f out, lost place before straight, dropped behind over 1f out, 12th of 14, 23l behind Cool Athlete (10-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Sep (flat).
