tracked leader, disputed briefly 5th, progress to dispute again 8th, led 4 out, pushed along and pressed last, ridden and kept on well run-in
led 1st, joined briefly 5th, joined again 8th and headed 4 out, pushed along and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in
always rear, slight mistake 6th and mistake next, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge approaching last, no impression on winner run-in
Smokey Joe Joe would need mishaps to hamper his rivals to get involved but the remaining trio are closely matched. Lord Scoundrel has a penalty for a Grade 3 victory at Cork in November and he's competed at a high level subsequently. He appeared to find 2m5f on heavy going stretching his stamina at Fairyhouse last time so wouldn't want any more rain. Tennis Cap has had plenty of experience and though beaten by Smashing here a month ago that winner is very useful. But so is his stable companion SIZING PLATINUM and he gets the vote. Henry De Bromhead's charge chased home the very smart The Game Changer in two Grade 3 races last summer after landing his first two starts over fences. All of those runs were on good ground so he's yet to prove he handles these conditions but hopefully will do so here.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, on terms before 3 out and slight mistake, soon headed and not much room, soon pushed along, no impression 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 9 1/4l behind Bridgets Pet (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hvy in Jan.
Sizing Platinum (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Led, a little awkward 4 out, pressed and pushed along into straight, soon joined, headed after last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 3l behind The Game Changer (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 2f gd in Oct.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Led, mistake 9th, joined 4 out and headed next, pushed along in 4th 2 out and no extra before last, weakened, last of 9, 25 3/4l behind Fine Rightly (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Tennis Cap (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders early, held up behind leaders from 7th, 4th halfway, left 3rd 3 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Smashing (11-3) at Thurles 2m 2f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
