led briefly early, soon raced in 2nd, led over 3f out, strongly pressed 2f out, soon joined, regained lead and stayed on best close home
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, one pace from 2f out
soon raced in 3rd, still chasing leaders but one pace from over 1f out
towards rear, raced towards outer, pushed along 2f out and no impression
pushed along early, soon led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
pushed along briefly early, soon raced in 4th, pushed along again 4f out, chased leaders and one pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon raced in 5th, closed 3f out travelling smoothly, pushed along to challenge 2f out, soon on terms and every chance, headed and kept on without matching winner close home
This looks tight but SWEET CHERRY may be good enough despite being 1lb out of the handicap. A winner over hurdles at Kilbeggan in April, she ran well behind Synopsis over 1m4f at Roscommon and this is more her trip. Dancing Noretta looks a danger on her fine run at the Curragh last week when she stayed on well behind Arya Tara. This is a slightly lower class event and it will be a surprise if she can't build on that. Morga has been running in better races than this and her close third behind Queen Alphabet at Ballinrobe recently suggested another victory was imminent while Face Value is a strong staying type who would have to be considered if the ground becomes testing. Benkei will be much more at home over this trip after a reasonable run behind Ringside Humour over 1m2f at Sligo on Tuesday.
Benkei (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress on outer in 3rd approaching straight, pushed along in 4th 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Ringside Humour (9-13) at Sligo 1m 3f Yielding in Jun.
Space Ship 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, some progress in 9th entering straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, at Wexford 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
Morga (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Mid-division, dropped to 6th 5f out, pushed along in close 5th from 3f out and ridden in 3rd from 2f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Queen Alphabet (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp fll Yielding in Jun.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, soon pushed along and no extra in rear 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Mr Right (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Face Value 14-1 (9-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, led narrowly before 2nd, headed after 4 out, weakened to 9th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Supreme Vinnie (9-10) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Jun.
Dancing Noretta (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, 7th 4f out, progress towards inner 2 1/2f out, ridden into 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Arya Tara (8-11) at Curragh 1m 4f Good - Yielding in Jun.
Sweet Cherry (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, ridden from next, no impression before last, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind The Nutcracker (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp gd in May.
