chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 3 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra in 6th 3 out, soon no impression
made all, pressed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in
held up towards rear, progress into 6th after 4 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no impression in 4th before next, kept on one pace into 3rd run-in
chased leaders early, mid-division from 3rd, towards rear halfway, ridden and no extra before 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, no impression in 8th 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 6 out, pulled up 4 out
soon mid-division, progress entering straight, ridden in 4th 3 out, no extra in 5th before next, kept on one pace
held up early, chased leaders from 2nd, 5th halfway, 3rd after 4 out, slight mistake and ridden 3 out, no impression on leaders before next, kept on one pace, dropped to 4th run-in
settled behind leaders, closer in 6th halfway, improved into 2nd before straight, ridden and no extra before 3 out
STOLBERG (NAP) had dropped to a winnable mark at Limerick on Saturday and his stamina came into play on the testing ground over the minimum trip. He's won over 2m6f so will have no problems staying and a 6lb penalty shouldn't prevent a quick double. Papa's Way has yet to win over hurdles but ran easily his best race to date when chasing home the in-form Luckyinmilan at Gowran so should get into the frame. Halls Bridge was in fine form over fences at this time last year but hasn't been seen since the summer and may find the ground too testing. Fiddlers Bow found the minimum trip too short at Thurles and is better judged on a better effort over 2m6f there in January but Orah Hall has now gone 16 starts over hurdles without winning and was beaten a long way when runner-up at Clonmel.
Stolberg (IRE) 11-2jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th after 3rd, 3rd after next, on terms from 3 out, gained narrow lead straight, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Mar beating Black Ice (11-1) by 5l, 14 ran.
Jodies Miss (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led and disputed, slight mistake 4th, headed before 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, 4th and no extra 2 out, weakened, 4th of 7, 37 1/2l behind A Genie In Abottle (11-10) at Naas 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Papa's Way (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Prominent, 3rd from 6th, on terms 3 out travelling smoothly, under pressure from 2 out, narrowly headed before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Luckyinmilan (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp sft in Mar.
Fiddlers Bow (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along after 2 out and dropped to 3rd before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 12, 11 3/4l behind Lets High Five It (11-11) at Thurles 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Halls Bridge (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Led and disputed early, dropped to 2nd before 3rd, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden and joined before 2 out, headed after last and soon no extra, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Be Seeing You (10-12) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp gd in Jun.
Dactik (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Towards rear, ridden in 6th and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace behind, 5th of 9, dist behind Luckyinmilan (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hvy in Feb.
Kicker King (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 4th, no impression in rear before 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off, 15th of 16, dist behind Rooster Byron (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn sft in Jan.
Cadawill (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Towards rear, 11th halfway, ridden before 4 out, some progress on outer entering straight, 6th and not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, no extra run-in, 7th of 13, 26l behind Candle Island (10-13) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Tighe Beithe (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, slight mistake 5th, ridden and no impression before 2 out, weakened, 10th of 11, dist behind That's A Wrap (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Feb.
Orah Hall (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, on terms approaching straight, soon led, headed before 2 out, no extra, one pace, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Head Turner (11-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Feb.
The Mad Well (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Close up and disputed lead, slight mistake 7th, under pressure after 3 out and lost place, no extra approaching straight, eased, pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Fiddle The Till (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up, no danger 5th, weakened, completely tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Crafty Power (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
Varene De Vauzelle (FR) 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division best, ridden 4 out, no extra next, weakened and tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Ice Cool (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
