soon in touch in rear, pushed along briefly 5th, pushed along again from 3 out, no impression from 2 out, moderate 4th between last 2, kept on same pace
chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, pushed along from 2 out, not much room between last 2, challenged between horses from before last, stayed on best to lead closing stages
led and disputed, led from 3rd, slight mistake 2 out, strongly pressed from last, headed closing stages and one pace
close up and disputed lead until 3rd, then raced in 2nd, pushed along from 2 out, one pace in 3rd closing stages
chased leaders, pushed along briefly from 3 out, pushed along again from next, soon no impression and dropped to rear, eased run-in, completely tailed off
Cardinal Palace, runner-up in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow in October, has been racing in much better company than this and will appreciate the drop in class. Carrig Cathal looked a very smart prospect when easily landing a Ballinrobe maiden and though taking on better company should be thereabouts at the finish. MASTER OF VERSE attempted to make all over 2m5f at Limerick and opened up a long lead but his jumping became erratic and he was caught by Black Warrior. That was just his second run over timber and he can improve enough to go one better. Odit hasn't done enough in his two starts this campaign to merit consideration while The Brock Inn hasn't recaptured the form that saw her finish an excellent runner-up at the Punchestown Festival.
Cardinal Palace (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, lost place 4 out, ridden after next, soon weakened, tailed off, 14th of 22, dist behind Party Rock (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Carrig Cathal 8-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, improved to challenge 2 out, soon disputed, ridden to lead entering straight, asserted before last, kept on strongly, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn gd in May beating Bright Tomorrow (11-4) by 12l, 14 ran.
Master Of Verse (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Soon led, a little keen, slight mistake 3rd, went on from 4th, soon well clear, mainly not fluent jumping from 8th onwards, reduced lead before 2 out and ridden, pressed last, headed run-in and no extra, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Black Warrior (11-10) at Limerick 2m 5f gf in Jun.
Odit (GER) 7-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and lost place 3 out, under pressure in 9th entering straight, kept on same pace from before last, 6th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Gusty Rocky (10-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcp gd in Jun.
The Brock Inn (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Soon raced in 4th, not much room on inner approaching straight and soon lost place and pushed along, weakened and eased, 11th of 12, dist behind Winter Lion (10-3) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Jul.
