rear of mid-division, took keen hold, closer in 5th 4 out, disputed lead travelling well 3 out, soon ridden, headed at last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, improved to lead after 4 out, joined next, soon ridden, improved to lead at last, stayed on well run-in
led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders on inner, ridden and dropped to 8th 4 out, weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, brought down after 6th
mid-division on inner, slight mistake 5th, clipped heels and slipped up after 6th
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead 4 out, soon ridden and headed, moderate 6th 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders on outer, 4th 4 out, ridden in 3rd next, moderate 5th next, 4th at last, kept on without threatening in moderate 3rd close home
mid-division, took keen hold, bumped early, 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th next, no impression
in rear, progress into 4th and ridden 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
towards rear, 9th 4 out, ridden next, soon no impression on leaders
NonRunner
NonRunner
Connors Cross was a 66/1 chance when landing a Punchestown maiden though the victory didn't look a fluke. Dartan completed a double at Dundalk at this time last year before landing a Cork maiden hurdle in May but hasn't run since. OTTOMAN STYLE likes some cut in the ground as he showed at Gowran and, though 6lb higher, gets the nod to complete a double. Monbeg Park had little chance in a Naas Grade 1 but his earlier placed effort in a Cork Grade 3 puts him in the picture. Luimneach has a 9lb rise to contend with for a comfortable victory at Naas but should get involved while there are plenty of others with chances in an open handicap.
Monbeg Park (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Rear, 6th after 3 out, under pressure in 7th after last (normal 3 out), dropped to rear over 3f out, weakened, eased under 2f out, pulled up over 1f out, at Naas 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Ottoman Style 14-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, headway to 4th after 6th, headway to lead narrowly after 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Bynx (10-9) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
The Gradual Slope (IRE) 16-5 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th after 3 out, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Carnfunnock (10-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp sft in Mar.
Mr Saxobeat (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Led, headed at 1st, 3rd halfway, not fluent at 6th, took closer order before 3 out, dropped to 5th and under pressure before 2 out where improved to 3rd, no impression on leaders before last, 3rd of 14, 9 3/4l behind L'yser (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Bella Bliss (IRE) 3-1fav (12-0) Towards rear, a bit closer in 6th halfway, not fluent and pushed along from 2 out, no impression in 7th when hampered and unseated rider last, at Downpatrick 2m 5f Good - Yielding in Sep.
Arahecan (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Ld early, 2nd aftr 2nd, drpd to 3rd 3out, rdn aftr 2out & no ex, drpd to rr bef str, ko bhnd, last of 5, 34l behind Bold Enough (12-2) at Kirkistown 3m Yielding in Mar.
Cardamon Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Soon held up in 4th, slight mistake 2nd, moderate 3rd 4 out, ridden and no extra after next, weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Embassy Gardens (11-0) at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Jan.
L Anamour (FR) 13-8fav (12-0) Chased leaders, shaken up before 2 out, no impression on winner, 4th and no extra last, 4th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Fortescue Wood (12-0) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Luimneach (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, went 2nd next, closed on leader when not fluent 2 out, soon challenged travelling well, pushed along in 2nd when mistake last, led early run-in and soon clear, kept on well, comfortably, won at Naas 2m hcp Yielding in Feb beating Falvio (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Petit King (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, moderate 11th at 4th, no impression, weakened before 2 out, 13th of 18, dist behind Doyen Ta Win (10-0) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Early Arrival (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, 16th 3 out, soon pushed along and headway, 6th 2 out, no impression in 4th after 2 out, went 2nd at last, ridden and stayed on well final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 20, nk behind Ardera Ru (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Connors Cross (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, ran freely, led 2nd and 2 lengths lead halfway, pushed along when left clear entering straight, reduced advantage last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Feb beating Easy Fella (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Dartan 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway on outer in 3rd after 2 out, pushed along to challenge entering straight, kept on well to lead closing stages, won at Ballinrobe 2m 5f mdn gd in May beating Western Walk (11-4) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
