It's about time THE WINKLER was winning again and he's been a bit unfortunate not to have done so by now. Eoin Doyle's grey has definitely made progress in his four starts over fences and had Balnagon Boy over four lengths behind when narrowly beaten by Killer Crow at Navan. The smart point-to-pointer Burren River returns after a long break though he'll have been out hunting and should be fit enough while Toushan jumped superbly to beat Nickname Exit at Cork and could have these in trouble if he does the same here. Goulane Chosen was disqualified from fourth when his rider weighed in light at Thurles but he'd run well up to then and is no forlorn hope in a tricky little race.
Balnagon Boy (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Led, slow 2nd and headed, led 4th until 6th, 3rd halfway, led after 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Killer Crow (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
Burren River (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, a little slow 12th, on terms 3 out, headed between last 2, no impression in 2nd and kept on same pace from before last, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Hix Fix (11-6) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f sft in Apr.
Toushan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 2nd before 4 out, challenged from before straight, on terms 3 out, led 2 out, joined last, headed run-in, stayed on well to lead on line, won at Cork 2m 5f hvy in Nov beating Nickname Exit (11-12) by ns, 6 ran.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress 10th, led briefly when mistake 3 out, pushed along in 4th and mistake next, no extra approaching last, kept on one pace (disqualified, rider weighed in light), last of 16, dist behind Shaneshill (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
The Winkler (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress 3 out and ridden to lead after next, headed run-in and no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Killer Crow (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f hvy in Dec.
