led, headed before 2nd, ridden and no extra before 4 out, soon towards rear and weakened, tailed off
chased leader, 2nd halfway, close up and slight mistake 4 out, challenged before 3 out where slight mistake, narrow lead entering straight, ridden and disputed before last, headed last, kept on same pace in 3rd run-in
mid-division, progress into 3rd before 4 out, ridden in 5th before 3 out, mistake 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
mid-division, progress into close 4th 3 out, ridden to challenge entering straight, every chance and disputed briefly before last, 4th and no extra from last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge and slight mistake 3 out, ridden and challenging entering straight, stayed on to dispute before last, narrowly headed run-in, kept on well, just held closing stages
held up in rear, progress into 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, stayed on to challenge last, soon narrow lead run-in, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, dropped towards rear before 4 out, ridden and weakened next
held up towards rear, closer in mid-division at 8th, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led before 2nd, pressed from 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 5th 2 out, weakened
The presence of Ruby Walsh on board Shannak is intriguing as Tony Mullins' charge completed a double at this track at the beginning of the year. SUTTON MANOR followed a very encouraging debut over hurdles on this track with a smooth victory at Wexford and makes his handicap debut on what could prove a very fair mark so is handed the vote. Tuzo, who was a long way behind in that race here, showed that staying is his game when comfortably landing a 2m7f handicap on a return visit when Emma Beag was a good third. If the going turns heavy then Inch Rise would enter the equation as he turned a Cork maiden into a procession in March and will have found the minimum trip much too short on his reappearance.
Captainofthefleet (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Soon towards rear, went moderate 5th from 5 out, slight mistake 3 out, soon pushed along and no impression, one pace, 5th of 7, 32 1/2l behind Clondaw Warrior (11-10) at Clonmel 3m sft in Dec.
Sutton Manor (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, improved to lead entering straight. soon pushed along and clear, stayed on strongly from last, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m 2f mdn Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Nanny Stone (11-2) by 5 1/2l, 14 ran.
Tuzo (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, slightly slow 2nd, 5th from 6th, almost on terms 3 out, led before next, stayed on best from last to assert run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Incitatum (10-12) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Inch Rise (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Raced 4th, 5th after 3rd, dropped to 9th after 4 out, no extra in 6th 2 out, 6th of 12, 21l behind Knockraha Pylon (10-10) at Cork 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Love Rory (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, reminders after 5th, 5th halfway, mistake 7th and soon pushed along in rear, no extra, pulled up before 4 out, at Listowel 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Diamond Cauchois (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Held up, 11th at 6th, headway from before straight, soon no impression, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Tuzo (11-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Shannak (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led at slow pace, headed after 5th, on terms 3 out, soon headed, one pace 2 out, 5th of 19, 9 1/4l behind Maighnealta (10-1) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Archie Meade (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Chased leaders early, 10th halfway, progress into close 3rd 2 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 14th of 25, 23 1/2l behind Electric Concorde (10-11) at Leopardstown 3m hcp Yielding in Dec.
For Freddie (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, closer in 5th halfway, 3rd before straight, improved to lead before 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec beating Lets High Five It (11-4) by 3 3/4l, 10 ran.
Emma Beag (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, 6th at 6th, not fluent 4 out, pushed along before straight, one pace from before last, 3rd of 13, 5 1/2l behind Tuzo (11-8) at Fairyhouse 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
