held up, smooth headway on outside from 4f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong
held up, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off
headed 4f out, soon outpaced, rallied over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
held up in touch, pushed along over 7f out, weakened 5f out
prominent, joined leader halfway, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace and no impression
mid-division, headway halfway, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, shaken up briefly after 5f, adrift 4f out, never dangerous
prominent, shaken up over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner inside final furlong
keen early, held up, struggling halfway, soon lost touch, hopelessly tailed off
held up towards rear, headway halfway, weakened over 4f out
Plenty of previous winners in the line up and The Pious Prince is only a tentative choice over Snap Tie and Battle Cry, while Cork All Star also needs to be monitored in the betting. The last named is unbeaten in two Irish bumpers and seems to know plenty about what is required of him. It will take a good effort from Jessica Harrington's charge to carry a double penalty, though, and he may be best judged by the amount of Irish euros that arrive to back up his claims. Battle Cry - an easy winner at Worcester last month - is another that is likely to be a popular choice. Especially as Nigel Twiston-Davies has moped up in bumpers lately. However, this looks a really hot event and he has more on his plate in this company. Snap Tie looks a very useful sort for Phillip Hobbs go to war with this season. The four-year-old has valuable course experience and it will come as no surprise to see him involved in the thick of the action. However, there is the suspicion that he may be sent off at cramped odds and the value may lay elsewhere. Which brings us to The Pious Prince, who makes the long journey down from Scotland as the sole representative of Lenny Lungo. There was a lot to like about his debut win at Ayr in February and, with the likelihood of a fair price being available, The Pious Prince is the preferred option in a wide open finale to the Open Meeting.
Cork All Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Always prominent, close 2nd 5f out, led 2 1/2f out, ridden clear approaching straight, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Galway 2m nhf gd in Aug beating Silver Adonis (12-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Grecian Groom (IRE) 1-8fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 5f out, chased leader 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gf in Oct beating Kaddasan (11-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
Battlecry 9-2 (10-11) Made all, left clear over 2f out, ridden and ran green inside final furlong, unchallenged, won at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct beating Adare Prince (11-4) by 22l, 9 ran.
Double Eagle 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, smooth headway over 6f out, led on bit over 3f out, driven clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct beating Thai Vango (11-0) by 23l, 12 ran.
Leading Authority (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, led inside final furlong, hung left, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Jan beating Ammunition (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Snap Tie (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) In touch, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, switched right to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 18, 8l behind Imperial Commander (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gs in Oct.
The Pious Prince (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up, smooth headway over 5f out, led on bit 3f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb beating Nevertika (11-3) by 13l, 16 ran.
Truckers Delight (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader and keen, ran wide on bend over 4f out, switched left over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 12, shd behind Earth Planet (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
An Accordion (IRE) 8-11fav (11-7) won at Great Trethew 3m ptp sft in Apr beating Soldier Of Rome (12-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Liam Mellows (IRE) Anshan gelding, half-brother to hurdles and bumper winner Hard To Start.
Strawberry (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Held up, headway over 6f out, chased leaders 3f out, driven to go 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 9l behind Classic Fiddle (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr.
Sirnando 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Wizard of Odds (11-0) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gf in Oct.
