chased leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on into 3rd before 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
led, ran around and jumped grass marking approaching 2nd, 4-lengths clear halfway, pressed before 2 out, slight mistake 2 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra before last, kept on one pace, dropped to 3rd run-in
rear of mid-division best, slight mistake 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 8th before straight, soon no impression
mid-division, slight mistakes 1st and 2nd, towards rear after 3rd, never a factor
held up towards rear, progress and slight mistake 4 out, 7th next, ridden in 5th before 2 out, no extra 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra before straight
always towards rear, slight mistakes 2nd and 3rd, never a factor
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, under pressure in 9th before straight, kept on one pace
mid-division best, ridden in 11th before straight and no impression, kept on one pace
mid-division best, mistake 5th, ridden in 10th before straight and no impression, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, challenged before 2 out, led after 2 out, pushed out to assert before last, kept on strongly, comfortably
always towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, never a factor
mid-division, progress into 6th 3 out, ridden in 7th and no impression before straight, kept on one pace
unseated rider and ran loose before start, rear of mid-division for most, ridden and no extra 3 out
chased leaders, jumped right 2nd, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, soon 3rd, ridden in 4th 2 out, no extra before last where slight mistake
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no impression in 6th before 2 out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, jumped left 3rd, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out
This has been run twice, though for five and six-year-olds only, and Willie Mullins has won both. FIRE IN SOUL bids to follow suit and though he's unraced he's by a top stallion, cost 200,000 euros, and is a half-brother to several winners so looks to have been found a nice opportunity. Thumb Stone Blues has a penalty for his bumper victory but should be scoring over hurdles soon judged on his very promising debut over timber at Naas. Kashmiri Sunset is also penalised for his Flat victories which include a handicap over 2m2f at York in October and he'll be better for his opening effort over hurdles at Thurles. Winning point-to-pointer Black Franks Angel started favourite for a Punchestown bumper on New Year's Eve and though unable to get involved he'll be much better suited to facing a set of obstacles.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, one pace from before last, 3rd of 25, 4 1/2l behind Edwulf (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Kashmiri Sunset 7-2 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, 9th on outer halfway, slight mistake 5th, progress 3 out, pushed along and left 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 16, 18l behind Rooster Byron (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Autumn Showers (IRE) September Storm gelding out of Buckie Thistle.
Canny Tom (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, took keen hold, mistake 7th, some headway and jumped left 3 out and 2 out, no impression, 7th of 18, 30 1/2l behind Gurteen (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Cooks Lane (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden and no impression over 4f out, no extra, 13th of 17, dist behind New To This Town (11-11) at Thurles 2m Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Crown Hill (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Silver Prayer.
D'nailor (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, closer in moderate 5th from 3 out, no impression in moderate 4th approaching straight, soon moderate 3rd, one pace, 3rd of 13, 13 1/4l behind Deans Road (11-4) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Dontdelay (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 4 out, moderate 8th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 18, dist behind Nine Stiches (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Highest Benefit (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, hampered 1st, slight mistake 2nd, towards rear halfway, no impression from 5th, 13th of 18, dist behind Nine Stiches (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Railway Rule (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Soon disputed lead, slightly slow 5th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 12, dist behind Alvisio Ville (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Fenno's Storm (IRE) September Storm gelding out of Swords Lady.
Fire In Soul (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Cherry Black.
I'm Forever Young (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, improved to chase leaders before straight, soon pushed along and no impression, 8th of 9, 34 1/2l behind Sutton Place (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan.
Mason Dixon (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, pushed along under 5f out, 9th approaching straight, no extra and eased 3f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Articulum (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Rebel Ace (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, no impression after 3 out and left moderate 8th next, no extra, tailed off, 7th of 16, dist behind Rooster Byron (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Summerhill Lewis (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 9th approaching halfway, closer in 4th 3f out, no extra from under 2f out, 4th of 14, 31l behind Brave Poppy (11-11) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.
Black Franks Angel 3-1fav (11-9) Towards rear, pushed along and progress into mid-division 5f out, ridden in moderate 7th entering straight, kept on one paced, 4th of 21, 18 1/2l behind Gold Doubloons (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f hvy in Dec.
Emerald Honours (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 18, dist behind Bello Conti (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
