prominent on outer, on terms 4th, headed from 6th, soon 3rd, slight mistake 9th, 2nd after 4 out, pushed along 3 out, jumped slightly right 2 out, challenged from before last, led run-in and stayed on best to quickly assert
prominent on outer, on terms 4th, marginally headed from 6th, led 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, strongly pressed and not fluent last, headed and no extra run-in, one pace
led, raced on inner, inclined to jump left, joined 4th, slight mistake next, gained narrow lead again from 6th, headed 4 out, soon dropped to 3rd and no impression, not fluent 3 out, bad mistake last and dropped to rear
soon detached in rear, raced towards outer, slight mistake 9th, slight mistake 4 out and no impression, not fluent 3 out, went distant 3rd from last
A very disappointing turnout for a Grade 2. Clarcam is vastly experienced over fences and defied a last-fence error to gain his fifth victory on testing ground at Clonmel. He's better on quicker ground so conditions may not be ideal in this company. Gigginstown also run Mozoltov, a very smart novice who hasn't quite recaptured his best form after a very long break. Montys Meadow hasn't had much experience and his jumping has let him down on occasions so this can go to BALLYCASEY, despite the fact he was well beaten in this last year. Willie Mullins' charge was at his very best when making most in a Grade 2 over this track and trip in October and wasn't suited when dropped back to the minimum at Navan the following month.
Ballycasey (IRE) 4-6fav (11-10) Led or disputed lead, headed before 3rd, 2nd halfway, switched right and pushed along approaching last, no impression in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Arctic Skipper (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Clarcam (FR) 6-5fav (11-9) Led early, headed 1st and chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, stayed on to challenge 2 out, soon led, mistake last, kept on well run-in to assert, won at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Feb beating Val De Ferbet (11-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
Montys Meadow (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, 6th halfway, pushed along and no extra from 3 out, weakened, 11th of 18, dist behind Champagne West (11-7) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.
Mozoltov 33-1 (11-4) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd halfway, dropped to 4th 4 out, soon ridden, no impression in 5th before 3 out where mistake and fell, at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
