It's over a year since Rubi Light last won a race but he's been mixing it in top company and would have a chance on his close second to Bright New Dawn at Clonmel. Shanahan's Turn won the Galway Plate in great style last summer and his subsequent races have been at Grade level. A Grade 2 winner, he will take some beating at his best but TENNIS CAP is given the nod. Willie Mullins' charge was twice beaten by the classy Smashing during the winter and then by Lord Scoundrel at Thurles but bounced back over timber at Cork and with his confidence restored can take this under Ruby Walsh. Federici showed that staying is his game when landing the Ulster National over 3m4f at Downpatrick and may not get the stamina test he requires in this small field while Archie Meade has a lot to do at the weights.
Rubi Light (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 4th after 4th, closer order 5th, switched left approaching 7th, mistake 4 out, soon no impression, no extra approaching straight, 6th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Toon River (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp hvy in Mar.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Prominent, joined leader 4th, lost place before 13th, weakened 5 out, 14th of 23, dist behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Tennis Cap (FR) Evensfav (11-2) Made all, ridden and strongly pressed before 3 out, asserted before 2 out, kept on well, won at Cork 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Mar beating Val De Ferbet (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Archie Meade (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) In rear, soon detached and not always fluent jumping, reminder 9th, soon closed, dropped off leaders again approaching 4 out where not fluent, soon pushed along and no impression, poor 3rd from before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 37 1/2l behind Urano (11-0) at Wexford 3m 2f lst (1) Yielding in Oct.
Federici 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd on inner 4 out, close 4th 2 out, pushed along and went 2nd at last, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Downpatrick 3m 4f hcp gd in Mar beating The Mooch (10-5) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
