SILVER SHEEN came here last month on the back of a comfortable Wexford victory and had no problems scoring over the trip. This is tougher with his penalties but a hat-trick beckons. Royal Thief, who started favourite after a previous course victory, was beaten 13 lengths and looks held. Kalli's Quest was an impressive winner on the same card and is definitely on the upgrade but Kalanisi Og ran very poorly at Fairyhouse. Walking On Glass just failed to hold off the winner in a big field of handicappers over 3m at Punchestown and his allowances plus jockey's claim puts him in here with a feather weight.
Silver Sheen 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, disputed lead briefly after 3rd, led 5 out, asserted 2 out, soon ridden and 4 lengths clear before last, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Nov beating Allez Dance (11-8) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Kalli's Quest (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, slight mistake next, asserted between final 2 and 4 lengths clear before last, kept on well, easily, won at Thurles 2m 7f mdn sft in Nov beating My Midnight (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 18 ran.
Royal Thief (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, pushed along before 3 out, 4th and not fluent 2 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Silver Sheen (10-12) at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Nov.
Fire Away (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place from before straight, soon no extra, 14th of 25, 25 1/4l behind Conflated (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Turbo (IRE) 14-1 (12-3) won at Punchestown 1m 7f sft in Nov beating Whisperinthebreeze (12-6) by 1l, 16 ran.
Kalanisi Og (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Waited with, some slight mistakes, moderate 7th from 3rd, soon 6th, some headway from before 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened from before 2 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Party Playboy (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Pat Coyne (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, lost place after 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, 8th of 14, 30 1/4l behind Happy Jacky (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
Rapid Response (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Kingston Girl (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn gd in Jan.
Thunder Down Under (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 8th of 13, 27 1/4l behind Vis Ta Loi (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Walking On Glass (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division, 12th 3 out, headway from next, ridden in 2nd at last, disputed lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 21, 1 3/4l behind Treacysenniscorthy (11-3) at Punchestown 3m hcp sft in Nov.
