tracked leaders, jumped right, 3rd halfway, slow 5 out, closer next, pushed along and challenged approaching straight, 3rd and no impression after 2 out, no extra
prominent and disputed lead, led briefly 3 out, joined approaching straight and pushed along after 2 out, led narrowly last, soon ridden and kept on well closing stages
led or disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, headed briefly 3 out, disputed lead before straight, soon pushed along, headed narrowly last, ridden run-in and no impression on winner closing stages
always rear, mistake 1st and 4th, no impression before 4 out, no extra in straight
Say It Ain't So made an impressive chasing debut at Clonmel, going well clear of the favourite Manitopark AA. The latter's yard is represented by GANAPATHI, rated 143 over hurdles after finishing second in a Punchestown Grade 2 and taken to make a successful start over fences. Ash Tree Meadow has some smart hurdles form though his pedigree is all about chasing while the lightly-raced and progressive Genois beat a big field of hurdlers in February last year and didn't reappear until making an encouraging debut over fences at Naas in November. Winning bumper and hurdler Raven Rule gets the mares' allowance on her chasing bow.
Ash Tree Meadow (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Towards rear, not fluent 2nd, 6th halfway, left 4th 3 out, slight mistake next and soon no impression, no extra, 4th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Bronn (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Ganapathi (FR) 9-2 (11-10) In touch in rear, headway into 5th 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Crosshill (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Genois (FR) 4-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, not fluent at 2nd, 3rd after 6th, effort and slight mistake at last, kept on same pace run-in, dropped to 4th closing stages, 4th of 18, 5l behind Mr Incredible (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Yielding in Nov.
Raven Rule (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Waited with towards rear, slight mistake 5th, no impression in last approaching straight, fell final flight, at Listowel 2m gd in Sep.
Say It Ain't So 40-1 (11-12) Prominent, on terms after 4th, headed after 6th, led narrowly after 9th, jumped left 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 4f Yielding in Apr beating Manitopark Aa (11-5) by 12l, 13 ran.
