tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress on outer 5f out, ridden 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along and slightly hampered 2f out, no impression in 9th on outer 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, progress into 2nd after 6f, ridden 2f out and soon lost place, no extra inside final furlong
led, headed briefly after 1f, ridden and headed under 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out and no impression inside final furlong
tracked leader, led briefly after 1f, 3rd halfway, 5th and not clear run under 2f out, ridden and progress between horses to go 3rd 100 yards out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, switched left approaching straight and progress under 2f out, ridden to go 2nd on outer 1f out, led 100 yards out and kept on well
always towards rear, never a factor, 9th halfway, soon pushed along and no impression in rear 5f out, no threat from 2f out
held up in rear, progress on outer entering straight and led under 2f out, soon edged right towards rail, ridden and headed 100 yards out, no impression on winner
High-class hurdler ESHTIAAL (NAP), runner-up in the American version of the Grand National at Far Hills in October, reappeared with a convincing victory over this sort of trip at Dundalk and a 4lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent a follow-up, despite a slightly disappointing effort over timber at Ayr. The Brock Inn ran a superb race in a handicap hurdle at last week's Punchestown Festival when just failing to concede 10lb to Elusive Ivy and, if transferring that form back to the level, would be an obvious contender. Papa's Way has had plenty of success on the Flat over shorter trips but stays long distances over timber so should have no problems here. Face Value makes a quick reappearance after a good run behind the in-form Oiche Mhaith Boy over a trip too short at Sligo on Sunday while Tri Na Ceile was in very good form over hurdles last summer and hails from a yard going well.
Eshtiaal (USA) 6-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Two Taffs (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Venezia (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear, no impression 2f out, one pace, 11th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Poitin (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr.
Alton Bay (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along and some progress on outer under 2f out, 12th 1f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 23, 5 3/4l behind Silver Concorde (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Oct.
Asbury Boss (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Raced in 4th, pushed along briefly from 6f out, ridden from 5f out, dropped to 5th over 2f out and squeezed for room, soon no extra and eased, 6th of 7, dist behind Digeanta (9-2) at Curragh 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Papa's Way (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Pushed along to soon lead, pushed along again before straight, headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 4th over 1f out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Alveena (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp hvy in Apr.
The Brock Inn (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 6th early, slight mistake 2 out, soon pushed along, stayed on well run-in, not get to winner, 2nd of 25, 3/4l behind Elusive Ivy (11-2) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Tri Na Ceile (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, 8th before straight, ridden to chase leaders from 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 6th of 17, 7 1/2l behind Misty Lady (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Oct.
Cliff House (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Raced off pace in 3rd, moderate 2nd after 3 out, no impression on leader in moderate 3rd 2 out, driven after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Velocity Boy (11-1) at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Apr.
Whatever It Takes (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Pushed along to soon lead, headed after about 5f, prominent, pushed along again from early straight, one pace from under 2f out, 7th of 12, 3 1/4l behind All Body And Soul (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Storm Away (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and closer on inner 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Jan Van Eyck (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Face Value 10-3 (8-13) Soon led and clear, reduced lead under 5f out, pressed from over 2f out, soon joined, headed before straight, 3rd and kept on without matching 1st 2 inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Oiche Mhaith Boy (9-0) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp hvy in May.
