led, took keen hold, joined 7th and headed next, regained lead after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well run-in
rear of mid-division, ridden in 6th after 3 out, weakened
rear of mid-division, closer in 7th after 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, 3rd 2 out, no extra
in rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd after 3out, 5th 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden in 5th after 3 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, weakened before 4 out, soon behind
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway into 3rd at 6th, disputed lead next, led 8th and soon clear, reduced advantage 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened quickly
mid-division, closer in 4th after 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, 3rd at last, no extra
Poker Party had only showed moderate ability over hurdles before making most and battling on gamely over slightly shorter at Clonmel with Chateauneuf Du Pap behind. He's up 7lb but the longer trip will suit as will the conditions so he's respected. War Of The Pennys is the only course and distance winner and is quite well treated on his best form while Hanover Street, whose only victory came in a 2m maiden here, bounced back to form at Clonmel where he was only run out of it close home. ROJA DOVE had plenty of success in the UK before joining Peter Fahy. He'd dropped to a lowly mark when making a winning start for new connections at Fairyhouse then defied a 9lb rise to win with a bit in hand at Gowran. He's up by the same amount here but may have another victory in him before the assessor takes control.
Poker Party (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Prominent and disputed lead from 3rd, not fluent next, led before 4 out, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along after next and mistake last, strongly pressed run-in, under pressure and kept on well close home, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Pat's Oscar (11-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
War Of The Pennys (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching 4 out, soon ridden, losing place when mistake 3 out, weakened and pulled up next, at Tramore 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Chateauneuf Du Pap 8-1 (11-12) Led, joined 3rd, headed before 4 out, pushed along and mistake 2 out, no extra approaching last, 6th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Poker Party (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Hanover Street (IRE) 25-1 (12-4) Soon prominent, led approaching 2 out, headed and kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Presentingoscar (11-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
Mister First (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Held up, last after 2nd, 8th after 8th, improved into 5th approaching straight where raced on outer, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 15l behind Black Scorpion (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Roja Dove (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, led before 2 out, stayed on well from before last, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Nov beating Trans Wood (10-7) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Burning Issues (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 11th of 16, dist behind Broder (10-8) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
Dazzling Sarah (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up, 16th from 5th, headway from 4 out, chased leaders and kept on same pace straight, 8th of 18, 20 1/2l behind The Church Gate (11-5) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Charle Brune (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Held up, 14th at 4th, some headway before 3 out, no impression from before straight, 14th of 18, 37 1/4l behind Pound A Stroke (10-6) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Coole Craft (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 5th at 4th, no extra and one pace straight, 8th of 18, 21 3/4l behind Pound A Stroke (10-6) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
