led, joined 3 out, slight mistake next, led again before straight, strongly pressed from before last, headed and one pace run-in
tracked leaders, 5th at 6th, 6th 2 out, moderate 8th before straight and no impression, kept on without threatening run-in
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, 4th at 6th, slight mistake 9th, still 4th from 2 out, 3rd before straight, challenged from before last where slight mistake, led run-in, stayed on well to quickly assert
soon mid-division, a little keen, 7th at 6th, still 7th 2 out, moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression
in rear, 9th 2 out, moderate 7th before straight and no impression, moderate 5th at last, kept on without threatening run-in
held up, 8th at 6th, pushed along in last from 9th, soon no danger
took keen hold, tracked leaders, bad mistake 5th, 2nd at 6th, 5th from 2 out, moderate 6th before straight, no extra and eased from last
stumbled early, held up, 9th at 6th, reminder from 3 out, 8th 2 out, moderate 9th before straight, no impression
held up, 6th at 6th where not fluent, soon chased leaders, 3rd 2 out, 4th before straight, soon no impression
prominent, 3rd at 6th, mistake 9th, on terms 3 out and not fluent, under pressure in 2nd before straight, soon no impression
Willie Mullins has four entries and Ruby's presence on the lightly-raced Aklan suggests he could be the one though official ratings point to the chances of Turban, who is rated 5lb higher and reverts to hurdling after a poor spell over fences. The lightly-raced and progressive Shamsikhan also represents the champion trainer though he looks to have a bit to find. Rolly Baby could be anything though he hasn't been seen since landing a Thurles maiden by 10 lengths almost two years ago. NOBLE ENDEAVOR, runner-up to Zaidpour in a Grade 2 at Navan on his reappearance, was expected to go one better at Clonmel but found Make A Track too strong. He'll appreciate the likely stronger gallop here and can take this for Gordon Elliott. The Crafty Butcher has produced some decent runs in his time though his latest offerings have been below par and Captainofthefleet is keeping better company than of late.
Aklan (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th after 2nd, closer in 5th on inner before straight, slight mistake 2 out, soon no impression, one pace, 6th of 12, 10l behind Waxies Dargle (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hdl in Nov.
Captainofthefleet (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) 6th early, 4th halfway, progress into 3rd after 4 out and further progress into 2nd approaching straight, ridden to challenge before 2 out, led before last and kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec beating Montys Meadow (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Noble Endeavor (IRE) Evensfav (11-6) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge before 2 out, mistake 2 out, no extra in 2nd before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Make A Track (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f hdl 0-130 sft in Dec.
Shamsikhan (IRE) 4-7fav (11-12) Soon disputed lead, some slight mistakes, headed after 3rd, tracked leaders after, closer order in 2nd 3 out, led before last, stayed on well run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Cork 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Mar beating Like It A Lot (11-12) by hd, 15 ran.
Micheal Flips (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Towards rear, blundered 3 out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 13, 11l behind Bocciani (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in May '13.
Raz De Maree (FR) 50-1 (10-3) In touch on inside, dropped to mid-division 12th, behind
Rolly Baby (FR) 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, rapid headway to lead after 2 out, travelling best and shaken up to assert before last, soon clear and stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb '13 beating Follow The Sign (11-3) by 10l, 18 ran.
The Crafty Butcher (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, mistake 3rd, 12th at 6th, not fluent 8th, 13th after 4 out, pushed along before straight where raced towards outer, moderate 7th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on, 4th of 14, 10l behind Pencilhimin (9-13) at Navan 2m 7f hcap hdle Grd C sft in Nov.
Turban (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, fell 6th, in a race won by Roi Du Mee (11-9) at Tramore 2m 6f lst chs (1) sft, 6 ran.
Gerdago (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Led, headed after 2nd, 3rd from after 4th, 2nd from 6th, slight mistake 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, dropped to 3rd approaching straight and no impression, kept on same pace from 2 out to press for 2nd at finish, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Kitten Rock (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4yo lst hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
