always towards rear, never a factor
settled in mid-division, 8th 3f out, headway to go 2nd 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
always prominent in centre of course, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, kept on well under pressure, held on
chased leaders in centre, 8th halfway, no threat from under 2f out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
prominent and disputed lead far side, led narrowly 3f out, headed 2f out and soon no extra, weakened
mid-division, headway into 4th over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reach winner
mid-division best, never a factor
mid-division in centre, 9th halfway, no extra from 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders on far side, 10th 3f out, no extra from well over 1f out
towards rear, 15th and driven along over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, kept on without threatening
prominent and disputed lead far side, headed after halfway, no extra under 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra from over 1f out
towards rear, headway after halfway, went 6th under 2f out, soon pushed along and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division in centre of course, 7th 3f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
prominent on far side, 4th halfway, led narrowly 2f out, soon ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Yet another Premier Handicap to round off a brilliant three days. A three-year-old won the race last year and the younger brigade are well represented this time. ESTITHMAAR started odds-on for a handicap at Leopardstown following a victory at Cork but ran into a really progressive type in Creekside, who runs in the earlier Listed race. Kevin Prendergast's colt could well prove a blot on the handicap here and gets the nod. Back Burner and Great Huzzar are also youngsters very much on the upgrade who could be anything, while Banna Boirche is a classy performer who was in good form at Meydan during the winter and has returned with a couple of fine efforts. Elusive Award is very consistent and wasn't beaten far in a similar handicap over the C&D last time.
Banna Boirche (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Led, ridden and disputed over 2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Cannon Hill (8-13) at Navan 7f stks gf.
Boynagh Joy (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Always behind, last of 12, 17l behind Rose Bonheur (8-10) at Naas 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Moran Gra (USA) 12-1 (9-10) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden well over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not match winner, 3rd of 16, hd behind Six of Hearts (9-13) at Naas 7f hcp gf.
Libano (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders on outer, 6th halfway, no impression from 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 16, 15l behind Six of Hearts (9-13) at Naas 7f hcp gf.
Toraidhe (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Prominent, 5th before straight, no extra from under 2f out, 10th of 14, 15l behind Flowers Of Spring (8-8) at Cork 1m 2f hcp gd in May.
Jembatt (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Prominent, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out, challenged over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, no extra when short of room closing stages, 11th of 16, 4l behind Six of Hearts (9-13) at Naas 7f hcp gf.
Northgate (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Six of Hearts (9-13) at Naas 7f hcp gf.
Douze Points (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride and soon switched left, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 14l behind Sam Sharp (8-13) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Triple Eight (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Led, headed entering straight, soon weakened, last of 9, 38l behind Laughing (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
Elusive Award (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, late headway in 12th over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 22, 2 1/4l behind Super Say (9-0) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in May.
Spirit of Xaar (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, 8th over 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 1/2l behind Six of Hearts (9-13) at Naas 7f hcp gf.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 5-1 (8-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, went 4th early straight, headway to challenge over 1f out, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, strongly pressed and joined closing stages, just prevailed, won at Cork 1m 1f hcp gd beating Deire Na Sli (8-10) by shd, 10 ran.
Keep It Cool (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Soon chased leaders, 5th for much, challenged from 2f out, 3rd under 1f out, soon 2nd and no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind False Economy (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf in May.
Back Burner (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, headway to challenge 2f out, led well over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Cork 1m 1f mdn stks gd beating Hurricane Twister (9-6) by 5l, 12 ran.
Estithmaar (IRE) 4-6fav (8-13) Settled in 4th, closer entering straight, challenged when hampered over 1f out, ridden and no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Creekside (9-10) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo hcp 60-100 gd.
Casela Park (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, some headway from 2f out, ridden in 8th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Ted Dolly (8-12) at Cork 7f hcp 50-80 gd.
Winning Impact (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 1f out, no extra in 7th when bumped 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Iron Major (8-12) at Dundalk 7f 3yo hcp 60-95 pol in Oct.
Great Huzzar (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Chased leaders, niggled along from halfway, challenged and on terms from 1 1/2f out, led and stayed on best to assert inside final furlong, won at Roscommon 7f mdn stks beating Tashqeel (9-0) by 3l, 15 ran.
