tracked leader in 2nd, disputed 5 out, led next, clear after 3 out, greatly eased run-in, very easily
led, joined 5 out, ridden and headed next, no extra after 3 out, kept on under pressure to maintain 2nd place
3rd throughout, lost touch and 10 lengths behind 5 out, closer to 2nd horse from 3 out, kept on one pace under pressure in straight
Just four entered here but a fascinating little contest nevertheless. Inistioge has the best form of the quartet over fences having won a Grade 3 at Limerick last March but she's run poorly recently and is probably best watched for now. Morning Supreme sets off like the proverbial scalded cat but she's come to grief on two of her last three runs when tiring and looked beaten when headed by FOR BILL at Thurles last time. The winner had also beaten her over timber earlier so should have her measure but Galant Ferns will be no pushover. A useful bumper, she showed little over timber but created a real shock on her debut over fences at Thurles when beating Back Me Up and Bobs Display very easily. The latter was only a couple of lengths behind For Bill on the same track earlier so, in theory, Liam Kenny's mare is the one to be on but she is more likely to be better over further.
For Bill (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, progress into 2nd after halfway, led 3 out, ridden clear after 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs Gr3 (1) sft in Jan beating Blazing Tempo (11-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
Inistioge (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra before 4 out, weakened and tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Drive On Jim (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Jan.
Galant Ferns (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 7th 6 out, headway into 3rd entering straight, 3rd and ridden 2 out, led before last, kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 3m mrs beg chs hvy beating Back Me Up (11-7) by 7l, 15 ran.
Morning Supreme (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Led and clear, reduced advantage from 5th, headed when slight mistake 3 out, 3rd under pressure when fell 2 out, in a race won by For Bill (10-11) at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs Gr3 (1) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
