raced in 4th, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 3 out, improved to get on terms 2 out, soon led, joined before last and came close with rival, soon just headed and fell
raced in 5th, closed to challenge 2 out, on terms before last and came close with rival, soon just led when left with decisive advantage, stayed on well to assert closing stages
raced in 3rd, not fluent 3 out and 2 out, not match leaders when not fluent last and badly impeded, kept on same pace run-in
raced in 2nd, not fluent 5th, slight mistake 2 out when dropped to 6th, no impression when not fluent last and impeded, kept on same pace run-in
in rear, pushed along briefly after 5th, never threatened leaders until kept on well under pressure without threatening run-in
held up, soon raced in 8th, 7th after 6th, closed into 5th 2 out and slight mistake, kept on without matching winner from last
led, jumped slightly left 2nd, slight mistakes 3rd and 4th, joined when slight mistake 2 out, soon headed, slightly impeded at last and no extra
raced in 7th, dropped to 8th after 6th, no impression and slight mistake 2 out, kept on same pace without threatening after
raced in 6th, not fluent 6th and ridden, no impression and not fluent 2 out, soon no extra
SUITOR has to give weight away - and plenty of it - all round but he's open to any amount of improvement over timber and arrives here on the back of two solid runs on the level, notably on his penultimate start when a fine third in a competitive Leopardstown 1m5f handicap. He goes well on this ground and looks the sort to improve considerably over the smaller obstacles. Monarch is respected on last term's best form but Niven will have to improve on last time's maiden hurdle success. The main threat to the selection is probably Beau Et Sublime for the wily Tony Martin, who turns up on the back of an excellent handicap second at Listowel,for which he's been raised an acceptable 2lb. Storm Rising is running well and has each-way claims and Park Paddocks, stablemate of the selection, has every chance to make an impression on the best of his form.
Suitor 11-4 (8-11) 3rd early, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along and not match winner from 3f out, soon lost position and one pace, 4th of 7, 3l behind Constancio (9-8) at Navan 1m 5f hcp gf in Jun.
Monarch (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th before straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression before last, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 5 3/4l behind Ancient Sands (11-10) at Listowel 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Niven (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge after 2 out, led before last, pushed out to assert entering straight, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m mdn gd in May beating Bensachuine (11-4) by 6l, 15 ran.
Park Paddocks (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden after 3 out, no extra entering straight, 8th of 15, 21 1/4l behind Ancient Sands (11-10) at Listowel 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Powersbomb (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, 8th 4 out, fell next, at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Beau Et Sublime (FR) 33-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th entering straight, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into 4th last, kept on and disputed 2nd run-in, 2nd at line, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Ancient Sands (11-10) at Listowel 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Get Out Of Jail (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Very slow away and raced detached in rear, no impression from 4f out, 16th of 18, 23 1/4l behind Dixie Highway (8-7) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp sft in May.
Black Benny (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Held up early, soon mid-division, ridden and no extra 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, dist behind On The Fringe (12-3) at Listowel 3m gd in Jun.
Mount Beckham (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Dwelt, always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along approaching straight, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 12, 17 1/2l behind Top Othe Ra (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn gf in Jun.
Storm Rising (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th before straight, stayed on into 2nd before last, kept on without reaching winner run-in, 2nd of 18, 1 1/4l behind Black Key (11-12) at Listowel 2m mdn gd in Jun.