Chalky White went up 8lb for his Limerick victory but probably would have finished closer at Naas next time but for a mistake at a crucial stage. Espion Du Chenet was always travelling easily in a race where several fences were omitted on the latter track in December where he scored with something in hand from today's rival SHOPPING AROUND. They had The Chapel Field behind that day but the winner has questions to answer after a couple of poor performances and the runner-up, who was having only her third start over fences, can gain revenge and take this. Hell On Earth finished runner-up to the in-form Itsalonglongroad at Tramore and was carried out next time while Carnet De Stage very nearly lost his maiden tag when runner-up at Clonmel and a 3lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run.
Chalky White (IRE) 10-3 (10-4) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 6th, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner in 2nd at last, 3rd and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 9 1/2l behind Epson Du Houx (11-5) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
The Chapel Field (IRE) 15-2 (11-13) Tracked leaders, disputed lead at 5th, led after last (usual 3 out), ridden and strongly pressed bypassing 2 out, headed bypassing last, soon no extra, 4th of 18, 12 1/2l behind Espion Du Chenet (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Hell On Earth (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, impeded before 4th, slightly slow 6th, carried out before 7th, at Punchestown 2m 6f hvy in Jan.
Kilkeaskins First (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, mistake 4 out, no extra after 3 out and eased in rear early straight, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Weihnachts (9-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Feb.
Flamingo's Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden into 4th entering straight, no extra before 2 out, 7th of 14, 29 1/4l behind Damut (12-0) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Shopping Around (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Towards rear, headway after last (usual 3 out), went 5th travelling well bypassing 2 out, improved to dispute lead bypassing last, soon ridden and headed under 1f out, checked inside final furlong and switched right, kept on close home, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Espion Du Chenet (10-9) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Brex Drago (ITY) 100-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 5 out, soon weakened and tailed off, 9th of 14, dist behind Damut (12-0) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Likable Chancer (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Tracked clear leader in 2nd, dropped to mid-division and off pace at 4th, ridden 3 out, remote 5th 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, no impression, 3rd of 13, 21 1/2l behind You Say Nothing (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 10-3fav (11-3) Mid-division, ridden into 5th before 2 out, no extra 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Mullaghmurphy Blue (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Towards rear, bad mistake 7th, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Whoyakodding (11-7) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp sft in Jan.
Carnet De Stage (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, stayed on when hampered before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, pressed leader last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Damut (12-0) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Knockraha Boss (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp hvy in Jan.
Grey Atlantic Way (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, 9th at 3rd, no impression in 10th after 3 out, weakened before 2 out where slightly hampered and left moderate 6th, 6th of 12, 35 1/4l behind Chalky White (11-5) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hvy in Dec.
De Bennette (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd before straight, ridden and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 28l behind Quarry Lil (11-12) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Jan.
Backintheboom (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) In rear, 12th at 3rd, good headway after 3 out, mistake in 7th 2 out and fell, at Limerick 2m 2f hcp hvy in Dec.
