close up in 2nd, led from 4th, clear from 5 out, reduced advantage and ridden before 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd from halfway, driven along and no impression after 3 out, stayed on at same pace from next
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 3 out, trailing when eased 2 out, tailed off
raced in 3rd, 4th and ridden 4 out, no extra from before 2 out
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra before next
led, headed 4th, moderate 2nd from halfway, ridden 3 out, closed on leader before 2 out, no impression from last, kept on under pressure
always behind, trailing halfway, no impression from 3 out
The normally admirably consistent Fool's Wildcat showed his first signs of having had enough for now when well beaten over 2m2f at Leopardstown on Thursday. He was carrying a penalty for his victory over this trip there two days earlier and is similarly penalised here. EPHORUS also has an extra 6lb for his comfortable success at Limerick on Wednesday where he always travelled well. He looked on very good terms with himself that day and is taken to complete a quick double. Karkari landed a maiden at Downpatrick in October on good ground but didn't appear to enjoy the testing conditions at Clonmel the following month, a remark that also applies to Celtic Carol, who was tailed off at Limerick on Thursday.
Ephorus (USA) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division, good headway into 4th entering straight, led before 2 out, soon ridden clear, kept on well, won at Limerick 2m 2f Handicap Hurdle (80-102) (3yo+) in Dec beating De Bartishell (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Easily Pleased (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 14th of 20, 27l behind Saville Row (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl in Nov.
Badger Or Bust (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, 6th approaching 3 out, no extra straight, 9th of 19, 22l behind Tornedo Shay (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Highland Brave (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Soon mid-division, 7th 3 out, moderate 4th and no impression under pressure into straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 13l behind Missgiloney (10-8) at Limerick 2m 3f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Le Reveur 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, never a factor, 12th of 16, well behind Western Charmer (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f beg chs sft in Nov.
Celtic Carol (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6 out, no extra 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Media Baron (10-10) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Dec.
Kalmez (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, pulled up after 6 out, burst blood vessel, in a race won by False Messenger (11-10) at Thurles 2m 6f cond hcp hdl 80-95 in Nov, 18 ran.
Fool's Wildcat (USA) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, 5th 3 out, ridden and dropped to 7th 2 out, soon no extra and eased, 10th of 11, 47l behind Ned Of The Hill (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Dec.
Karkari (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, soon behind, pulled up before next, in a race won by Jacks Island (9-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-109 in Nov, 12 ran.
