always in rear, no impression from 4 out, eased 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd throughout and took keen hold early, ridden entering straight, no impression in 3rd from 2 out
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 5 out, disputing lead travelling well when mistake 2 out and headed briefly, regained lead before last, not fluent at last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
led, joined 5 out, ridden entering straight, left in lead again briefly 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, 5th when not fluent at 5th, moderate 4th and pushed along after 3 out, no impression straight
in rear, closer in 4th halfway, moderate 4th 4 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression
SHANESHILL won the championship bumper at Punchestown in 2014 and finished runner-up to Douvan in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He's won at Grade 2 level over timber and made a very good impression on his chasing bow at Thurles, where he jumped well and was always travelling easily. He faces much stiffer opposition here but it will be a surprise if he's beaten. Kitten Rock has a similar profile in that he is also a Grade 2 winner over hurdles and has won his only start over fences. He's another very smart prospect, though the form of his chasing debut success hasn't really worked out. Sizing Codelco has had five starts over fences, winning at Listowel in September before unseating his rider at the first in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown. He'll need to improve against the two principals but looks to have every chance of doing so. The remaining trio look as though they are playing for places.
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.
Kitten Rock (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Prominent, 2nd from 4th, close up and disputed lead from 5th, narrow leader and still travelling smoothly from 2 out, ridden and stayed on best run-in, won at Navan 2m Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Sizing Titanium (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Shaneshill (IRE) 1-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead after 3 out, asserted before last and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov beating Walk To Freedom (11-12) by 3 3/4l, 16 ran.
Sizing Codelco (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracking leaders when stumbled badly and unseated rider 1st, at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Ballyroe Rambler (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th from 4th, no extra from 3 out,, 5th of 18, dist behind Bonny Kate (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
Shantou Ed (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Held up, 14th from 4th, not fluent 5th, never a factor,, 8th of 18, dist behind Bonny Kate (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f sft in Nov.
