tracked leaders, dropped to moderate 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in moderate 5th from 5 out, soon trailing
led, joined from 7th, led again 9th, not fluent 5 and 4 out, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner from 2 out
always towards rear, ridden and trailing out, soon no impression, never a factor, tailed off
prominent, slight mistake 2nd, dropped to 3rd at 6th, slight mistake 10th, moderate 3rd and ridden 5 out, dropped to remote 4th 3 out, no impression, regained moderate 3rd inside final furlong
held up in rear, slight mistake 7th, some progress into moderate 4th 4 out, moderate 3rd next, soon ridden, moderate 3rd at last, no extra and dropped to 4th inside final furlong
prominent, disputed lead from 7th, headed 9th, improved to lead after 3 out, soon ridden clear, kept on well run-in
Thunder And Roses fell at the second last when travelling well at Fairyhouse in December and showed there were no ill effects with a very easy victory back there a month later. His stablemate Apache Jack was fortunate to land a beginners' chase here last month though he had some decent performers behind. Noble Emperor was left to win easily at Fairyhouse when his main rival broke down but he looked a very nice prospect and looks certain to give a good account. URANO (NAP) didn't have much to do when making a successful start over fences at Cork but did it well and though tackling much better opposition is taken to remain unbeaten over the bigger obstacles. Last year's Albert Bartlett winner Very Wood beat the useful The Job Is Right on his chasing debut but has run poorly in both subsequent starts.
Apache Jack (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Soon led, bumped 1st, joined 4th, headed from 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon no impression and well beaten when left in lead at last, stayed on run-in,, won at Navan 2m 4f beg chase sft in Jan beating Smokey Joe Joe (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Noble Emperor (IRE) 1-2fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead and slipped approaching 6th, well clear with rival from next, left distance clear after 4 out, continued unchallenged, heavily eased run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase sft in Jan beating Oscar Fiain (11-12) by 22l, 5 ran.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, dropped off pace from halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace and closer straight, went 4th run-in, 4th of 5, 14l behind Wounded Warrior (11-5) at Naas 3m nov chs G2 (1) sft in Jan.
Thunder And Roses (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Prominent, slight mistake 5th, 2nd at 7th, mistake 10th, slight mistake 12th, on terms from 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 3m beg chase in Jan beating Katnap (11-12) by 22l, 8 ran.
Urano (FR) Evensfav (11-12) A little keen, soon led and disputed, mistake 9th, clear from 2 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan beating Drumlee (11-12) by 13l, 7 ran.
Very Wood (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Always rear, mistake 9th, ridden and no impression after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Don Poli (11-9) at Leopardstown 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) in Dec, 7 ran.
