tracked leaders, improved into close 3rd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, close 5th 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, 2nd at last, kept on run-in
tracked leaders, weakened rapidly 4th, tailed off from 3 out
mid-division, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, went moderate 4th before last
in rear, mistake 2nd, trailing under pressure from 4 out, kept on without threatening
tracked leaders on outer and keen early, improved to lead 3 out, strongly pressed and ridden after 2 out, headed before last, no extra run-in
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened quickly, trailing from 2 out
tracked leaders early, dropped to mid-division halfway, 7th 3 out, close enough in 6th and switched to outer when fell heavily 2 out
in rear, ridden along in rear 3 out, no impression straight
mid-division, rapid headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden from next, weakened before 2 out
This has attracted a strong line-up but ZUZKA's close third behind Cheltenham hopes Jezki and Champagne Fever at Fairyhouse in December is the strongest form on view and she gets the vote as she was nowhere near her best there the following month. Shrapnel had Rory O'Moore behind when scoring at Galway in October and his two latest defeats have come over much longer trips so he's one to keep an eye on while the selection's stablemate, Twigline, may have won a Listed contest at Sandown but for coming down at the last. Moscow Mannon had no answers in Grade 2 company last time but the three who finished in front of him are all very useful.
Mallowney (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 3rd, went clear travelling well before 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, eased close home, easily, won at Naas 2m hcp hdl in Feb beating Enchanted Forest (10-4) by 7l, 10 ran.
Shrapnel (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Raced 2nd early, gradually dropped to rear from 3rd, under pressure in last 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Inish Island (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 6f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Captain Canada 6-1 (11-4) Prominent and led from 2nd, awkward 2 out, kept on well from before last, won at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Dec beating War Correspondent (11-4) by 10l, 14 ran.
Clonbanan Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Led and disputed, headed from 3 out, no extra approaching straight, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Prince De Beauchene (11-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, challenged in 2nd after next, led before last where left further in front, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb beating City Slicker (11-11) by 8l, 22 ran.
Moscow Mannon (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden before 2 out, dropped to 4th before last, no extra, 4th of 6, 16l behind Annie Power (10-10) at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Rory O'Moore (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Soon led and clear, reduced lead 4 out, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 40l behind Bright New Dawn (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Zuzka (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) Settled behind leaders in 5th, 4th 2 out, ridden entering straight, no impression before last, kept on same pace run-in to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Glens Melody (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 2f mares Listed nov hdl (1) in Jan.
Tangled Web (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, lost touch 3 out and soon no extra, weakened, 4th of 6, well behind Un Atout (11-7) at Naas 2m nh nov hdl hvy in Jan.
Diplomat (USA) 20-1 (10-4) Held up in 5th, no impression from 3 out, last of 6, 33l behind Annie Power (10-10) at Naas 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Twigline (FR) 6-4 (11-2) Held up in 5th off the pace, closed before 2 out, switched left after hurdle, ridden and about to challenge when fell last, in a race won by Utopie Des Bordes (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f mares listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.