tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd after 2 out, challenged when slight mistake last, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
soon led, pressed and slight mistake 2 out, soon headed, pushed along and no impression before last, no extra
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 5th, no impression before 2 out, soon no extra, weakened
in rear, slight mistake 3rd, pushed along after 5th, slow next and detached, no extra, behind and pulled up before last
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to challenge 2 out and soon led, pressed last, 2 lengths clear entering straight, ridden and kept on well
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression before last, no extra
Gordon Elliott saddles two here and Dorans River made a good impression on his first start for the yard at Downpatrick. FRIDAYNIGHTLIGHTS won handicaps at Fairyhouse and Kilbeggan before stepping up to 2m5f at Punchestown and running very well in a tough handicap. Blast Of Koeman finished runner-up in that latter event but was receiving 1lb and may not be up to confirming the form on the revised terms. Act In Time had been threatening to win before doing so in style at Killarney and looks on the upgrade while Little Folke was staying on strongly at Cork and there's more to come. Neither of the remaining pair can be dismissed in an interesting opener.
Dorans River (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some progress into 7th before 4 out and good headway to track leaders after next, challenged on outer after 2 out, not fluent last and soon led, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f mdn gd in May beating Penance (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Act In Time (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, 4th early, slight mistake 4 out, not much room on inner before 3 out, soon challenged and on terms, led before 2 out, asserted between last 2, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f mdn gd in May beating Line Out (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Cluan Dara (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Raced in rear, improved into 2nd on outer from 6f out, dropped to 3rd 3f out, ridden from 2f out and soon no extra, eased closing stages and dropped to 4th near line, last of 4, 13 3/4l behind Penny Jane (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 1f gd in May.
Fridaynightlights (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden in 3rd approaching last, 4th at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 25, 3 3/4l behind Magic Of Light (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Is She Diesel 8-1 (10-13) Always prominent, a little keen, 3rd from 3rd, closed up before straight and almost on terms, pushed along and not go with winner from 2 out, one pace last, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Nicaragua (11-7) at Clonmel 2m mdn gd in May.
Little Folke 5-2 (11-3) Soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, soon 4th, 2nd 2 out, kept on well under pressure without getting to winner run-in, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Look Closer (11-2) at Cork 2m gd in May.
Blast Of Koeman (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Mid-division, 7th 4 out, headway 2 out, went 2nd entering straight, disputed lead approaching last, ridden and led last, stayed on well run-in, headed near line, 2nd of 25, hd behind Magic Of Light (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
