Verdict

Clara More, a progressive but moderate type over hurdles, has shown ability over fences and found 2m6f too far here in October when last seen. Chasing Shadows landed a maiden hurdle here on New Year's Eve and ran very well behind Carrig Millie over fences at Thurles but THE FOLKES CHOICE was biting off much more than she could chew in a Grade 3 at Cork last time and her earlier form over fences here and at Wexford makes her the one to beat. The five-year-old Back Off Mate gets plenty of allowances and is bred for chasing so everything he's done over hurdles, which isn't much to be honest, has been a bonus.

Formwatch

Captain Luke (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Waited with, 7th 6 out, kept on same pace from before 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Dont Back Down (11-9) at Cork 2m 4f Amateur Beginners Chase (5yo+).

Chebona Bula 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on inner in 5th, driven along and dropped to rear after 4 out, no extra, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Rory Anna (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 1f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (80-123) (4yo+) hvy in Jan.

Clara More (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden in 7th approaching 5 out, soon no impression, pulled up before last, in a race won by Our Girl Lucy (11-5) at Tramore 2m 6f beg chs sft in Oct, 15 ran.

Coldstonesober (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden in 5th 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 7, well behind Waaheb (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Oct.

Couleur De La Loi (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Prominent, 2nd when fell 3 out, in a race won by He's Our Man (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Mar, 9 ran.

Craigs Dream (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, bad mistake 6 out, weakened after 3 out, in a race won by Sraid Padraig (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs sft in Oct, 16 ran.

Hevelius 10-1 (11-5) Waited with, closer in 7th before 3 out, no extra from next, 11th of 12, 33l behind Mackey Boy (10-7) at Listowel 2m Handicap Hurdle (80-109) (5yo+) hvy in Sep.

Passing Through 33-1 (11-12) Towards rear, moderate 10th 5 out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 50l behind A Fine Young Man (11-9) at Cork 2m beg chs in Mar.

Raheenwood (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Backinthere (11-11) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Mar, 14 ran.

Chasing Shadows (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led, tended to jump a bit left, a bit slow 5th and headed, soon niggled along, no extra in 4th straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 17l behind Castle Genie (11-7) at Clonmel 2m mrs beg chs in Mar.

Decade Player (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Took keen hold adrift in last, never in contention and always towards rear, 16th of 19, well behind Rockyaboya (11-7) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 sft in Mar.

Rossa Parks (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Towards rear, 10th 3 out, soon no impression, 12th of 15, well behind Galianna (11-5) at Listowel 2m 4f mare hcp hdl 8Evens16 sft in Sep.

Silver Chief (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, slight mistake 5 out, no impression from 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, well behind Speckled Wood (11-5) at Clonmel 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (80-116) (4yo+) hvy in Mar.

The Folkes Choice 16-1 (10-11) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression after 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Great Oak (11-1) at Cork 2m 1f mares nov chs Grade 3 (1) sft in Dec, 8 ran.

Why But Why (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Always in rear, ridden and no impression last, weakened and tailed off, last of 7, well behind Rupert Lamb (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f beg chase hvy in Jan.

Captain Ocana (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led, headed after 6 out, weakened after next, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Fair Dilemma (11-5) at Listowel 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Sep.

Back Off Mate (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, 6th and ridden after 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 15, 18l behind Waydownsouth (11-12) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.