towards rear for most, never a factor
waited with, closed to chase winner from before straight, soon no impression, bad mistake and kept on same pace from last
chased leaders, moderate 5th 6 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out
waited with, went moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression
chased leaders, lost place and reminders 8th, struggling from before 7 out, slight mistake 5 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
prominent in chasing group, kept on same pace in moderate 4th from before straight
waited with in mid-division, mistake 5th, some headway from 7 out, moderate 6th and no impression from before straight
soon mid-division, went in pursuit of winner from before 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, 8th approaching 7 out, no impression and kept on same pace without threatening from before 4 out
made all, went on approaching 7 out, stayed on well from before straight, easily
chased leaders, moderate 7th 5 out, soon no extra
prominent in chasing group, moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression
towards rear, slightly hampered 4 out, no impression when blundered and unseated rider next
prominent, moderate 3rd 5 out, fell next
The veteran Rakamasi is the only C&D winner in the field but he's been badly out of form. THE BOOK THIEF was having his 10th start over fences when producing his best run so far at Clonmel last week where he may have won but for a mistake at the last. Connections won't be happy with a 4lb rise but he's still well treated and can go one better. Paddy O Dee has only won once in 19 starts over fences but this is his best trip and he's not badly handicapped. Woodbine Willie was in such poor form last year that he's been dropped 11lb in the weights and it would be no shock to see a revival in this moderate contest.
Woodbine Willie (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Old Si (11-1) at Limerick 2m 3f Conditional Handicap Chase (5yo+) gd in Apr.
King Of Ardcarne (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 16, well behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chase sft.
Lockdown (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, 2nd before straight, no extra from before 2 out, 9th of 15, 33l behind Special Token (11-5) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chase hvy in Jan.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Soon chased leaders, closed up from before 5 out, 4th 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 22l behind Lead Kindly Light (11-0) at Naas 2m hcp chs 0-109 in Jan.
The Book Thief (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Prominent, slight mistake 6th, led before 5 out, reduced lead 3 out, strongly pressed 2 out, headed before last where mistake, rallied and kept on well run-in, not get back to winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Sumkindasuprstar (10-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-123 sft.
Tomcoole Lad (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no impression in 5th early straight, no extra from 2 out, 6th of 16, 46l behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chase sft.
Sensational Sema (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, mistakes 5 out and 4 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 7th of 10, 25l behind Lead Kindly Light (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy.
Paddy O Dee 5-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, 5th and mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, 5th of 7, 20l behind Luke's Benefit (10-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Dec.
Steady Ed (IRE) 22-1 (10-5) Slow jump 4th and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Sumkindasuprstar (10-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-123 sft, 9 ran.
Whatdoyousay 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, 4th 5 out, no extra from early straight, weakened, 7th of 16, well behind Gates Of Rome (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f beg chase sft.
Billytheblacksmith (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon no impression, 10th of 13, well behind Odonimee (11-5) at Clonmel 2m beg chase hvy.
Rakamasi 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 10, 49l behind Lead Kindly Light (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 hvy.
Mylerstown (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Profit Margin (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (0-109) in Jan, 16 ran.
Valours Minion (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Soon tracked leaders, 9th approaching 6 out, no extra and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Come To The Party (11-7) at Limerick 3m hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Jan, 16 ran.
Clare Gent (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 9th after 6 out, no extra 3 out, pulled up after next, in a race won by Big Jemmy (10-7) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
