mid-division, jumped right 2nd, pushed along and dropped towards rear from 4 out, ridden and no extra from 2 out
held up in rear, slightly impeded 2nd and not fluent at times, some progress from halfway, pushed along from 2 out and ridden in 5th before last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
mid-division and not fluent 5 out, jumped left 3 out, soon lost place and dropped towards rear, no extra from next
mid-division and impeded 2nd, not fluent 7th and dropped towards rear, pushed along from 3 out and no impression from next
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 5th, dropped to 3rd before 3 out, pushed along after next and no impression, ridden and weakened before last
led, big jump 1st and not fluent at times, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and headed before last, soon no extra and weakened
towards rear, slightly impeded 2nd, mistake 6th, progress from 4 out and impeded next, ridden in 6th after 2 out and kept on well into 4th run-in, just failed for 3rd, never nearer
towards rear, not fluent 5 out, good progress on inner from 3 out and not fluent next, not much room before last and switched to outer, soon went 2nd and not fluent last, ridden run-in and no impression on winner
towards rear early, impeded 2nd, progress into mid-division before halfway, further progress to track leaders before 3 out, pushed along and weakened after next
mid-division and not fluent 4 out, ridden after 2 out and no impression in 8th before last, kept on into 6th run-in
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 5th and soon dropped to 3rd, went 2nd again before 3 out and pushed along after next, dropped to 3rd before last where not fluent, ridden and no extra run-in, just held on for 3rd
tracked leaders in 4th and a bit keen, not fluent 5th and again 3 out, pushed along from 2 out and good progress on outer to lead before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, eased close home
THE SHUNTER (NAP) had 18 starts without winning before transferring to Emmet Mullins, who has placed him brilliantly to win over hurdles, fences and on the Flat where he won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last time. He's on a 10lb lower mark than over fences and can gain victory number eight for the yard. Longhouse Poet was quite well fancied for the Grand National where he got no further than the Canal Turn first time round. He's another on a much lower hurdles mark and is unlikely to lack fitness. Stuzzikini is only five and took advantage of heavy ground and this trip at Clonmel where he won with a ton in hand so a 9lb rise looks manageable. Popova couldn't handle heavy ground and Listed company at Limerick but stablemate Gabbys Cross had Shadow Rider just behind in a very competitive Galway handicap last month.
Longhouse Poet (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Wore hood to post, chased leaders, bad mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Shunter (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, smooth headway tracking leaders over 4f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Pied Piper (9-3) by 3/4l, 31 ran.
Stuzzikini (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, 9th halfway, headway into 4th after 3 out, led before next where mistake, asserted approaching last where left clear, kept on well, won at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Nov beating Angels Dawn (10-13) by 31l, 11 ran.
Duffle Coat (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th and lost place from next, pushed along and no extra from 3 out, 15th of 18, dist behind Watch House Cross (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Freedom To Dream (FR) 17-2 (11-12) In touch, dropped to rear of mid-division after 2nd, 6th before 8th, slight mistake at 9th, dropped towards rear at 11th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out, at Listowel 2m 6f Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Shadow Rider (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, on terms at 3rd, headed before 5th, 2nd halfway, not fluent at 8th, disputed lead after 8th, headed after 4 out, 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 5 1/4l behind Buddy One (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Popova (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, in touch in 5th 3 out, 3rd approaching straight, pushed along and no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 6, 15 3/4l behind Space Tourist (10-9) at Limerick 2m 7f lst (1) hvy in Oct.
Gabbys Cross (IRE) 6-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, headway after 3 out, 5th last, stayed on run-in to 2nd closing stages, not trouble winner, 2nd of 15, 3 3/4l behind Buddy One (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Doctor Brown Bear (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Made all, pushed along and strongly pressed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and asserted, kept on well from last, won at Tramore 2m mdn sft in Aug beating Lucky Storm (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
A Great View (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, slightly hampered after 6th, progress on outer 3 out, ridden in 8th next, no impression, 8th of 19, 10 1/4l behind Getaway Charlie (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Alpesh Amin (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Mid-division, 10th halfway, progress before last, kept on run-in, never nearer, 6th of 15, 10 3/4l behind Buddy One (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Jody Ted (IRE) 16-5jfav (11-10) Mid-division and 4th halfway, took closer order after 3 out and good progress to challenge in 2nd before next, disputed lead 2 out and soon led, stretched clear run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f hcp sft in Oct beating Pats Choice (11-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
