led and clear, jumped left, reduced lead approaching 2 out where not fluent, headed and no extra approaching last
well off pace towards rear, poor 10th at 4th, no impression from 2 out
soon raced in poor 3rd, 2nd and closed approaching 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably
well off pace in mid-division best, poor 9th at 4th, soon no danger
well off pace in mid-division, closer in 5th after 2 out, 3rd and no impression under pressure before last, kept on same pace
well off pace in mid-division, poor 8th at 4th, no impression from 2 out
chased leader in poor 2nd, closer order but dropped to 3rd approaching 2 out where not fluent, 4th and kept on same pace under pressure from before last
two handlers in parade ring, well off pace towards rear, closer in 6th after 2 out, soon no impression, bad mistake last
soon raced in poor 5th, 4th 3 out, closed under pressure in 2nd approaching last, soon no impression, kept on same pace
chased leaders, well off pace, poor 7th at 4th, no impression from 2 out
soon behind, not jump well, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, poor 4th at 4th, lost place and no danger 3 out
well off pace towards rear for most, never a factor
Willie Mullins won this with subsequent smart chaser Citizen Vic in 2009 and while RATTAN may not turn out to be in that league, he certainly looks good enough to land this. His recent second at Clonmel is solid form and he makes more appeal than Glenstar, who disappointed last time but had shown some promise at Wexford before that. Up Ou That has yet to shine over timber, but Sir Whinstone ran well when runner-up at Kilbeggan last May and is worth noting on his return. Hurdling debutants Exit To Nowhere and Safari Sunup may benefit for the experience here.
Exit To Anywhere 25-1 (11-6) Led, headed 5f out, soon no extra and weakened, 12th of 15, well behind Samain (12-0) at Curragh 2m N H flat sft.
Hevelius 40-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 8th approaching straight, no impression from before 2 out, 10th of 23, 33l behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Rattan (USA) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, closed into straight, 2nd when slight mistake 2 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Datokepe (10-13) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, driven to challenge and chance 2f out, soon ridden and went right, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Prince Of Johanne (8-8) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct (flat).
Up Ou That (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway in 9th after 4 out, ridden in 8th and no impression 3 out, 6th 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 20, 33l behind Rathlin (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
Baresi (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw rr, lst tch by 3out, kept going, 6th of 15, 36l behind Hello Mr Kelly (12-0) at Ballybunion 3m ire ptp.
Benefit Evening (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 15th of 16, well behind Last Instalment (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f nh nov hdl.
Blue Vic (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Soon led, headed over 5f out, weakened from 3f out, 9th of 14, 27l behind Silver Canyon (11-11) at Tramore 2m N H flat gd.
Glenstar (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led or disputed lead after 1st until advantage 6th, headed after 4 out, 3rd 3 out, soon no impression in 5th, 5th of 23, 20l behind Bog Warrior (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl in Mar.
Massinimoss (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Towards rear, closer in 8th and tracked leaders from under 4f out, 3rd and kept on without threatening under pressure from under 2f out, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Red Tiger (12-0) at Listowel 2m 4f N H flat gd in Sep.
Barbabella (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, no threat and weakened from 5f out, last of 16, well behind Style Of Campile (11-2) at Wexford 2m mrs NH flt 4-5yo gd in Mar '10.
Godico (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, dropped to moderate 6th over 5f out, soon no impression, 10th of 16, 33l behind Social Benefit (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4f mares n h flat.
Lackabane Jessie (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Soon mid-division, moderate 6th 5 out, struggling when fell 2 out, in a race won by More Claret (10-8) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn hdl fm in Jun, 13 ran.
Sir Whinstone (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always prominent in chasing group, closer in 2nd travelling well before 3 out, no impression under pressure straight, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Marky Bob (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f 5yo mdn hdl gf in May.
