Cartwright won his maiden at Naas by 16 lengths and was then fourth in a Grade 2 at the same track. Down Royal winner Celtic Rising is coming along nicely but French import Rock De Baune is probably best watched on his first start for John Kiely after a break. Draconien made a winning reappearance but was then turned over at odds on at Clonmel. Roaring Bull had been headed when falling at the last in a Grade 3 at Thurles but would have finished ahead of Articulum had he stood up. HIGH SPARROW is something of an unknown quantity but Joseph O’Brien holds him in high regard. He refused to buckle when making a winning debut over timber at Punchestown and will know more today.
Articulum (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) 4th of 6, 28l behind Blow By Blow (11-0) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Cartwright 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, dropped to 3rd 3 out, ridden in 2nd again before 2 out, dropped to moderate 3rd at last, no extra run-in and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hardline (11-7) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Celtic Rising (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Chased clear leader, headway to lead approaching 4 out, travelled well 2 out and asserted before last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Falak (11-10) by 6l, 20 ran.
Draconien (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) In rear, improved into 3rd from 4 out, 2nd before straight, no impression from 2 out, not fluent last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 22l behind Beyond The Law (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 3f hvy in Jan.
High Sparrow (IRE) 13-8fav (11-10) Prominent and disputed lead, mistake 5th, led 8th, pushed along and headed briefly approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hvy in Feb beating Caltex (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Roaring Bull (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 6th, disputed 4 out and led before next, headed 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner when fell last, at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Rock De Baune (FR) (10-7) won at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Oct beating Klassical Dream (10-7) by 1l, 16 ran.
