rear of mid-division, progress to 4th after 5th, dropped to 6th 4 out, headway to close before 2 out where led, driven out run-in
mid-division, 5th after 5th, headway after 3 out, 4th 2 out, ridden and kept on in 3rd closing stages, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, 2nd before 4th, led briefly before 2 out where headed, ridden and kept on run-in, held
towards rear, mistake in 8th at 5th, pushed along after 3 out, no impression 2 out where mistake, no extra, never a factor
pushed along to race prominently, not fluent at 1st, on terms at 2nd, soon led, headed and weakened before 2 out where not fluent
towards rear, not fluent at 3rd, 7th at 5th, not fluent at 6th, pushed along after 3 out, no extra before last, never a factor
led, joined at 2nd, soon headed, 3rd before 4th, dropped to 5th after 3 out, no impression in 6th 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in
in rear, not fluent at 1st, 6th after 5th, took closer order on outer 4 out, closed in 3rd 2 out, no impression last, dropped to 4th and no extra closing stages
NonRunner
The four-year-old Thetys had been running well without much luck until landing a handicap in her own age group at Naas last month. She's up 7lb but that was only her fifth start over timber. Positive Thinker hasn't had much more experience but has been very consistent. He was beaten just over a length by Chainofconsequence here in November though that was over 2m5f and the winner pulled up at Gowran last time when Positive Thinker finished third. Both could find this on the short side, as could Friends N Commerce, so the vote goes to ROYAL RHYTHM, who is just 4lb higher for scoring over the trip on heavy ground at Clonmel last week. Henning found Grade 3 company too hot at Thurles after her Fairyhouse victory.
Henning (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra, 7th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Sa Fureur (11-3) at Thurles 2m 5f (1) gd in Feb.
Friends N Commerce (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-12) Close up, dropped to 5th at 3rd, 7th after 8th, progress to 4th after 3 out, no impression last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Fortunefavorsdbold (11-5) at Limerick 3m mdn sft in Mar.
Positive Thinker (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Prominent, tracked leaders after 2nd, not fluent 5th, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 7th, mistake 3 out, disputed before next, ridden and headed before last, no impression in 3rd when mistake last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 20, 8 3/4l behind Ardera Ru (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Highland Sting (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) In rear, awkward at 1st, 11th at 8th, not fluent in 10th at 11th, progress before 2 out, kept on one pace to moderate 4th, 4th of 11, dist behind Majavango (11-12) at Tramore 2m 6f Yielding in Oct.
Royal Rhythm (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Soon led, not fluent at 1st and 2nd, increased advantage at 5th, slight mistake 3 out, strongly pressed and joined 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly last, kept on run-in, won at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Mar beating Tingarran Express (11-4) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Truckers Angel (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, closer in 5th halfway, lost place and slight mistake 4 out, 7th and pushed along entering straight, no impression before last, no extra run-in, 7th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Routine Excellence (11-12) at Thurles 2m 5f hcp sft in Mar.
Chainofconsequence (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Prominent, tracked leaders after 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last, at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Coole Vision (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place quickly after 3 out, behind and pulled up before next, at Thurles 2m 7f hcp sft in Mar.
Thetys (FR) 11-2 (10-13) In touch towards rear, mistake 4th, switched right before 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden in 4th at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Naas 1m 7f hcp Yielding in Feb beating Crafty Gael (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
