Venitien De Mai was unbeaten in four starts between the flags and eventually managed to score over hurdles, though he has always been likely to do better over fences. He was still in touch though under pressure when falling at the last on his chasing debut at Thurles but that was over 2m6f and he looks much more of a staying type than WESTERNERS SON. The latter won three times over timber and though unable to cope with Ttebob on his chasing debut at Thurles the winner is potentially top-class and he won't be meeting anything of his calibre here. A Grey Matter gave the selection 5lb and a narrow beating over hurdles at Naas in January and will be better for his chasing bow at Thurles, though he'll need to cut out the mistakes if he's to confirm the form. Run For Firth has been in excellent shape over timber and, as he is a winner between the flags, is definitely not without a chance of making a successful debut over regulation fences.
A Grey Matter (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, 7th halfway, no impression in 6th entering straight and moderate 5th when mistake last (finished 5th, placed 4th), 4th of 16, 36 3/4l behind Shaneshill (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
All The Sevens (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, 15th halfway, no extra from 3 out, 15th of 18, dist behind Long House Island (11-13) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Arthropod (IRE) 3-1fav (10-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 2nd, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 8, 24l behind Kennedys Mor (10-7) at Clonmel 3m hcp gs in Oct.
Peter From Paris (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Towards rear, 10th halfway, progress outer 3 out, dropped to rear entering straight, no extra, 10th of 11, dist behind Punch Bag (10-9) at Limerick 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Run For Firth (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd before straight, ridden to challenge before 2 out, close up and slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace from last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Kennedys Mor (10-7) at Clonmel 3m hcp gs in Oct.
Venitien De Mai (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Ran freely, close up and disputed, slight mistake 7th, 2nd and slight mistake 4 out, close up again entering straight, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 2nd before last where fell, at Thurles 2m 6f Yielding in Nov.
Westerners Son (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Slight mistake 1st, slightly impeded 2nd, prominent in chasing group, a little closer when mistake 3 out, no impression and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Ttebbob (11-12) at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov.
Wildcatted (GER) 66-1 (11-12) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 16th of 18, dist behind Killer Miller (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Missyspet (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Ran 5th, not fluent 3rd, 4th after 3rd, 3rd before 6th, progress to 2nd at 7th, ridden and dropped to 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace after last, dropped to 5th closing stages, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Steel Wave (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Phone Booth (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Towards rear, never a factor, 11th halfway, no extra approaching straight, 11th of 14, dist behind Oscar Sam (10-13) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Nov.
