CLARKEY ran much too badly to be true at Punchestown and is taken to return to the kind of form that took him to victories at Limerick and Listowel earlier. Manhattan Boy was a long way behind in that Listowel contest but reversed the form at Punchestown and is always worth considering in this grade. Changing Course's second to King High at Tramore was a fine effort though he probably needs a slightly longer trip nowadays but Turtle Gale made all for a convincing victory last time and will have no problems with the distance here.
Fantoche (BRZ) 20-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression straight, 7th of 13, 23l behind Alpine Glade (11-10) at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gf in Aug.
Changing Course (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Soon led and clear, ridden after 4 out, reduced lead before 2 out, soon headed and no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind King High (11-5) at Tramore 2m 6f chs fm in Aug.
Norther Bay (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, eased from next, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Loosen My Load (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gd.
Manhattan Boy (GER) 14-1 (11-2) 2nd early, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Duers (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gd.
Bachelor Affair 10-1 (9-10) Led, pressed from 4 out, headed under pressure 2 out, kept on same pace but no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Keelaghan (10-8) at Cork 2m hcp chs gd.
Flemross (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 10th of 20, 19l behind Kayanna's Back (10-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd.
Clarkey (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) 3rd early, dropped to 6th 6 out, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, 41l behind Duers (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gd.
Carpenter (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, mistake 4 out, moderate 7th when slightly hampered after 2 out, 8th of 17, 33l behind Pay The Bounty (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4f beg chs.
Turtle Gale (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Made all, clear before halfway, reduced advantage from 3 out, kept on well under pressure from next, won at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 fm in Aug beating Galway Legend (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ard Agus Fada (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, some progress into 6th 3 out, soon no extra, 6th of 9, 38l behind Duers (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 gd.
