soon raced in 4th, 3rd and not fluent 3 out, not fluent next and soon no impression
soon towards rear in 7th, slight mistake 2nd, never a factor, last and no extra approaching straight, completely tailed off
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistakes 8th and 9th, closed up from next, pushed along to challenge before 3 out and on terms, kept on well run-in, headed near line
soon tracked leader, on terms after 10th, led approaching straight, joined before 3 out but still travelling smoothly, ridden and stayed on best run-in to lead near line
soon raced in 5th, went moderate 4th before 3 out, soon no extra
soon raced in 6th, slight mistake 9th, no extra from before 3 out
soon in rear, slight mistake 5th, never a factor, went poor 7th approaching straight, kept on into distant 5th closing stages
led, joined after 10th, headed approaching straight, soon pushed along and no extra, weakened
MADURAI was a Group class performer on the Flat in Germany and was last seen winning on the all-weather track at Deauville in October of last year. He looks just the type his trainer does so well with so he can make a successful debut. Stoneford looked a tremendous prospect for jumping when landing a Fairyhouse bumper on heavy ground on New Year's Day so he's an obvious threat while Call The Taxie has been going well and any slip-ups by the former pair would be punished. Glenloe is the type to improve in time but A Rated has been a major disappointment since his victory between the flags.
A Rated (IRE) 7-2cfav (11-4) Chased leader, slight mistake 4th, 2nd halfway, mistake 3 out, ridden in 3rd before straight, no impression in 4th 2 out, kept on one pace, mistake last, 4th of 13, 23 1/2l behind Rathnure Rebel (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Nov.
Big Fat Sam 100-1 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 23rd of 30, dist behind Brelade (11-9) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Call The Taxie (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 5 out, ridden to press leader entering straight, no extra in 2nd run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Cadmium (11-9) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
Glenloe (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, soon 10th, carried wide off bend early, slight mistake 6th, disputed 7th before straight, one pace approaching last, 5th of 20, 13 1/2l behind Runfordave (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn Yielding in Dec.
Iconic Image (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 5th before straight, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Kemboy (11-9) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
Kilcooley Abbey (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden towards rear 4 out, weakened and completely tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Rathnure Rebel (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Nov.
Madurai (GER) (10-5) won at Deauville 1m 1f stks pol in Oct beating Sir Medbury (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Vinalhaven (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, moderate 4th next, no impression, 6th of 30, 18 1/4l behind Brelade (11-9) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.
King's War (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, wandered slightly before 2nd, 10th before 5th, one pace from 3 out, 7th of 20, dist behind Turcagua (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Stoneford (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Disputed lead, led after 6f, ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, asserted close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m hvy in Jan beating Tayto Park (12-0) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
