mid-division early, 6th halfway, no impression before straight
waited with, closer in 5th halfway, slight mistake 8th, challenged 2 out and slight mistake, on terms from before last, led run-in, stayed on best
prominent, led approaching straight, joined from before last, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner
tracked leaders early, dropped towards rear and reminder 3rd, 7th halfway, a little slow at 7th, no impression before straight
waited with, reminder after 6th in rear, soon pushed along, no impression 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, effort from before straight, no impression and kept on same pace without threatening from 2 out
tracked leaders, slight mistake 6th, one pace approaching last
waited with, some slight mistakes, 8th halfway, no impression after 4 out, not fluent 3 out and pulled up
led, jumped slightly left at times, headed approaching straight, one pace approaching last where bad mistake
Gentleman Duke has run poorly in his last three starts but continues to slip down the weights. Tongie is only 1-18 over fences and was still beaten 26 lengths when third at Down Royal in January so BATTLING SPIRIT is preferred. Jamie Codd’s mount was making his chasing bow at an advanced age over this trip at Clonmel last month but ran really well and should be in the firing-line with a similar effort. Runyon Rattler and Sanibel Island have a chance at the weights but neither arrives in the best of form.
Gentleman Duke (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway into 4th approaching straight, pushed along and slight mistake 2 out, ridden and no impression approaching last where slight mistake, no extra, 5th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Seskin Flyer (9-10) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp gd in Dec.
Battling Spirit (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Waited with, 8th after 8th, improved to challenge straight, on terms from before 2 out, headed run-in and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Snugsborough Hall (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Feb.
Tongie (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent and disputed early, chased leaders from 2nd, 5th halfway, 4th and slight mistake 3 out, progress into moderate 3rd and no impression on leaders before 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, 3rd of 10, 25 3/4l behind Cresus De Grissay (11-8) at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Runyon Rattler (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Waited with, 11th from 4th, slow jump 9th, no impression from before straight, soon no extra, 9th of 13, 36 1/4l behind Poker Party (11-4) at Naas 2m 4f hcp gd in Feb.
Sanibel Island (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led and disputed after 1st, headed 5th, weakened 5 out, completely tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Ex Patriot (11-12) at Thurles 2m gd in Feb.
Winter Magic (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Down Royal 3m hcp Yielding in Jan.
Lisclogher Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Led, mistake 8th, headed 5 out, ridden from 3 out, no impression when mistake 2 out, 6th of 11, 25l behind Poker Party (11-2) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Naturally Blond (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Led, joined 6th, regained lead before 5 out, headed before 2 out and soon ridden, no extra in 4th before last and kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Therellalwaysbeone (10-12) at Limerick 3m hcp Yielding in Nov.
Stonehall Jack (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Prominent early and led briefly after 2nd, headed before next and settled in 3rd, lost place from 5 out and reminders, dropped towards rear and no extra from 3 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Doolough Lad (10-3) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp gd in Sep.
