chased leaders, well off pace, closed 3f out, 2nd 2f out, soon led, stayed on well final furlong, headed last strides
soon chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 7th approaching straight, weakened 2f out
soon chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed before straight, led from 3f out, headed and no extra from 2f out
well off pace towards rear, ridden to close from 3f out, no impression and kept on from 2f out
raced well off pace towards rear, good progress 3f out, led 2f out, soon narrowly headed, kept on well final furlong without matching 1st 2
soon chased leaders, well off pace, hampered over 2f out, soon no impression and kept on
chased leaders, well off pace, closed in 3rd before straight, no extra 2f out
well off pace towards rear, wide and ridden straight, soon no impression
raced well off pace towards rear, ridden into moderate 4th 2f out, kept on without matching leaders
raced well off pace in mid-division, closed from 3f out, 3rd 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead last strides
chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 9th approaching straight, closed from 3f out, no impression from 2f out
soon led and clear, reduced lead before straight, headed and weakened from 3f out
well off pace towards rear, closer in moderate 5th approaching straight, soon 4th, 2nd 3f out, weakened from 2f out
well off pace in mid-division, moderate 8th approaching straight, closed from 3f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out
It's strange to see a bumper on this card but it looks a strong race and UK raider Prince Of Pirates will be an obvious fancy after his debut success over subsequent easy winner Bobs Worth at Kempton. Willie Mullins has won this in two of the three season's it's been run so the presence of Not For Converting, who was obviously nowhere near his best when beaten a distance at Galway in August, will be noted by punters. Endless Intrigue was having his first start since finishing runner-up to Cousin Vinny in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in 2008 when only fifth at Fairyhouse a month ago and that should have put the edge on him but VALLEYMOUNT looks the one to be on. Fran Flood's filly ran a superb race behind Spanish Treasure in a very hot race at the Punchestown Festival and a repeat would probably be good enough here.
Endless Intrigue (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind Our Girl Salley (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat hvy in Apr.
Diamond's Return (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent, 3rd over 4f out, lost place and no extra from under 3f out, 9th of 13, 27l behind Loosen My Load (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat in Aug.
Foildubh (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Pulled hard early, soon led, clear over 5f out, strongly pressed from 2f out, ridden and kept on well, all out to hold on close home, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat in Mar beating Clonard Lad (12-0) by nk, 14 ran.
Not For Converting (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Rear of mid-division, niggled along after halfway, dropped behind from 3f out, 12th of 13, well behind Loosen My Load (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat in Aug.
Old McDonald 10-1 (12-0) Towards rear, closer in 9th before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening, 4th of 17, 10l behind Hidden Universe (11-4) at Punchestown 2m N H flat G1 gd in Apr.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 6-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led after 3f, still travelling strongly on bit when narrowly headed over 2f out, shaken up and quickened to regain lead inside final furlong, won at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Feb beating Bobs Worth (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Between Me And You (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) 12th of 16, well behind Priests Road (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat hvy in Apr.
Famous Last Words (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 13, well behind Crash (11-13) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f N H flat sft in Feb.
Sheer Genius (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, kept on, nearest finish, 8th of 24, 20l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m Nat Hunt Flat (Grade 1) (4-6yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Shop Dj (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, progress from 6f out, 3rd before straight, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m 3f N H flat hvy in Apr beating Merry In Moscow (11-7) by 5l, 22 ran.
Point The Toes (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway in 12th 3f out, ridden into 6th 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 9l behind Champion Court (11-7) at Kilbeggan 2m 5yo nhf gd.
Gun Barrell (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led and clear, raced wide, reduced advantage 3f out, headed entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 10, 28l behind Hidden Universe (11-6) at Limerick 2m 4yo nhf sft in Apr.
Massyoun (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, challenged going well over 1f out, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Tetlami (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f 3yo nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Valleymount (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Rear of mid-division, headway to chase leaders before straight, ridden into moderate 2nd and kept on without troubling winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 25, 4l behind Spanish Treasure (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf gd in Apr.
Maytide (IRE) Sadler's Wells colt out of I'll Get Along.
