WEE GIANT missed an opportunity when Downpatrick was called off on Friday and can gain compensation. Willie Mullins' charge easily won his only start over timber there in September and has run well in two subsequent starts on the Flat. Big Game Hunter scrambled home in a Clonmel maiden but has produced a couple of decent efforts in better company, both over longer trips, subsequently. Winning point-to-pointer Si C'Etait Vrai looks a nice prospect as he followed an excellent second to Hidden Universe in a Limerick bumper in April with a victory in a big field on his hurdling bow at Naas in October. Rory Anna improved at a rate of knots last season and followed her closing success at Limerick with a victory on the level at Cork in April.
Are You The One (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear for most, no impression from before 2 out, 12th of 18, well behind Gimli's Rock (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gd in Apr.
Big Game Hunter (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 3 out, 3rd next, went 2nd before last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Ainama (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hdl sft in Nov.
Si C'etait Vrai (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Chased leaders, closed before straight, challenged travelling well 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Oct beating The Bull Hayes (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 22 ran.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 3rd, ridden and challenged 3 out, headed entering straight, no extra and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Aughnacurraveel (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nh nov hdl in Nov.
Tadhg (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, closed into 3rd approaching straight, 2nd travelling well 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well, won at Thurles 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Nov beating The Bull Hayes (11-7) by 2l, 17 ran.
Wee Giant (USA) 5-6fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd after 2 out, challenged approaching last, ridden to lead on run-in, kept on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f 4yo mdn hdl gd in Sep beating Karkari (11-2) by 5l, 15 ran.
Rory Anna (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge entering straight, led after 2 out, quickened clear from last, stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 4yo hdl in Mar beating Are You The One (11-7) by 4l, 12 ran.
Battling Boru (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, closer in 5th 6f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Rebel Fitz (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Oct.
Burma Rock (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leading trio, pushed along over 2f out, soon not quicken, beaten when hung right over 1f out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Shallow Bay (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Come On Flash (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Always behind, 14th of 15, 26l behind Phantasy Rock (9-2) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-60 gf in Aug (flat).
Stoneman (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Always behind, completely tailed off, 18th of 22, well behind Zaidpour (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl in Nov.
Tingamajig (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Towards rear, dropped behind when mistake 4 out, 7th of 8, well behind Knockfierna (11-5) at Cork 2m mrs nov hdl sft.
