always towards rear, behind from before 4 out, weakened
chased leaders, slight mistake 8th, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge after 3 out and disputed before straight, narrow lead 2 out and soon ridden to assert, kept on well from last, comfortably
held up, 5th halfway, progress into 4th when bad mistake 3 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, slightly slow 3rd, improved to lead before 6th, joined before straight, soon ridden, headed 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace, just held 2nd at line
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out
slight mistake 1st, held up, ridden into 4th entering straight, no impression on leaders in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace
led, headed before 6th, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no extra before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden in 7th 3 out, under pressure in 4th and pecked 2 out, stayed on run-in, just denied for 2nd at line
Stooshie looked a certain future winner when beaten narrowly over 2m6f at Thurles though that could prove his best trip. Internal Transfer has been here twice and won both times including on his chasing debut in December. He's much better on ground with plenty of give so could do with some rain. Capture The Drama isn't the most consistent but has managed to win nine times under Rules. With his rider's claim to aid his cause he'll make a bold bid to land victory number ten. Great Khan makes his handicap debut over fences and isn't badly treated but those who had their fingers burnt when ALTO ESQUA failed to land a gamble at Leopardstown can get their money back as he wasn't beaten far in what was a much better race than this.
Na Trachtalai Abu (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 14th of 25, dist behind Tout Est Permis (10-12) at Navan 3m hcp gd in Nov.
Internal Transfer 3-1fav (11-3) Chased leader, closed at 3rd, led after 5th, 2 lengths clear at 8th, not fluent at 9th, travelled well after 3 out, asserted before last, kept on well, eased closing stages, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 7f Yielding - Soft in Dec beating Young Paddymc (11-3) by 10l, 13 ran.
Stooshie (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden after 2 out and progress into 4th at last, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind You Can't Catch Me (11-12) at Thurles 2m 6f gd in Mar.
Damut (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, very slow jump 1st and headed, a little slow in jumping at times after, moderate 3rd from 6th, no extra from after 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Crazyheart (10-8) at Wexford 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Fenlon's Hill (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 4th before 2 out, no impression, 10th of 12, 34 1/4l behind Take A Turn (11-11) at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Great Khan (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led and disputed, jumped right 1st, led from 3rd, headed before 6th, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 23 1/2l behind Biddy The Boss (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Mar.
Capture The Drama (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Led or disputed lead, led from 5 out, headed approaching 3 out, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden and no impression before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 9, 16 1/4l behind Sizing Rome (11-10) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp gd in Mar.
Alto Esqua (FR) 11-4fav (9-10) In rear, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, 5th entering straight, ridden to go 4th before last, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 6 1/2l behind Goulane Chosen (11-12) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp gd in Mar.
