held up in rear, slight mistake 6th, 4th and mistake 4 out, left 3rd 2 out and no impression approaching last, no extra
ran 3rd, progress to challenge when fell 2 out
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to dispute before 3 out, pushed along and mistake last, soon headed, ridden and no impression on winner
ran 4th, slight mistake 6th, in rear before 4 out, pushed along and no extra after 3 out
led, joined approaching 3 out and soon ridden, led again early run-in and kept on well
This can go to the veteran REALT MOR, who has been alternating between hurdles and fences. Though having no chance behind Douvan in the Tied Cottage, he still managed to have Draycott Place a very long way behind in third. The latter wasn't at his best and had only been beaten just over four lengths by Westerner Point at Cork in November when conceding 17lb but may have problems reversing the places on these terms. Shadow Catcher has only won twice over fences, a poor return for a useful performer at his best, though he's been competing in all of the top handicaps this season and will find this much less demanding. Champagne Harmony, a smart bumper and decent enough hurdler, has only had one run over fences and was well beaten.
Realt Mor (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th, adrift at 3rd, left 3rd at 8th, went 2nd after 2 out and soon ridden, no impression on easy winner, kept on one paced run-in, 2nd of 4, 6 1/2l behind Douvan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Draycott Place (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 2nd, ridden and no impression on winner before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, trailing straight, 3rd of 4, 37 1/2l behind Douvan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Shadow Catcher 50-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 10th, no impression before 3 out, in rear and pulled up before 2 out, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Champagne Harmony (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 7th 3 out, moderate 6th next, no impression straight, never a factor, 7th of 14, dist behind Edwulf (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Westerner Point (IRE) 9-4fav (10-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, improved to challenge before 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression in 4th after 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Realt Mor (11-7) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
