tracked leaders, soon 3rd, one pace under pressure from over 1f out
soon raced in 7th, no impression 1f out, soon eased
towards rear, no impression 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, soon 6th, kept on final furlong to go 2nd on line without troubling winner
towards rear, switched right over 2f out, no impression 1f out, one pace
prominent, soon 2nd, challenged straight, led over 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace and dropped to 3rd on line
slightly awkward leaving stalls, soon raced in 11th, ridden to chase leaders from over 1f out, kept on same pace
soon in rear, never a factor, eased over 1f out
dwelt and pushed along early, soon raced in 10th, improved to challenge from 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, soon asserted, stayed on well
soon led, strongly pressed straight, headed over 1 1/2f out, one pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, soon 4th, took keen hold, under pressure under 4f out, lost place and no impression 2f out, eased over 1f out
raced in 9th early, a little keen on outer, soon towards rear, ridden to chase leaders from over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, soon 5th, no impression 1f out, one pace
soon raced in 8th, raced on outer straight, chasing leaders and kept on same pace from over 1f out
An excellent turnout for a reasonable prize with most entering the fray in top form. Jim Bolger is using Daniel Redmond's claim on Mandatario though his mount's victory here in February came over two miles. LUSIS NATUREA was an unlucky loser on his hat-trick bid last month when failing to get a clear run before just failing to concede Carried 6lb. That was his first start over the trip and he should take care of the winner so compensation awaits. Ancient Sands is in superb form and just 2lb higher after completing a double last month where he would have found 1m2f short enough. Moonmeister has to be a major threat despite and absence since November as he has a tremendous record on the track having won five times in eight visits. Abraham, a winner in France, was having his first start for Shay Barry when a close second to All Body And Soul here last month when conceding the winner 9lb so is another to consider though Alnahar looks to have an even better chance on his close second to the selection last month as he has a decent pull in the weights.
Mandatario 3-1 (9-2) Chased leader in 2nd, switched right under 2f out and soon ridden, dropped to 3rd under 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Watersmeet (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Mar.
Lusis Naturea 11-4 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, 6th halfway, not clear run 2f out, soon switched left and ridden, stayed on into 4th and short of room 1f out, kept on final furlong to press winner closing stages, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Carried (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Venezia (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division on outer, progress into 4th before halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no extra 2f out, eased final furlong, 22nd of 23, 16 3/4l behind Silver Concorde (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Oct.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 13-8fav (9-8) Made all, ridden 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Mar beating Rummaging (9-8) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Moonmeister (IRE) 11-2jfav (9-2) Fly leapt from stalls, held up in rear, switched left under 2f out and progress to go 3rd 1f out, ridden to challenge over 100 yards out, kept on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Bittern (8-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Carried (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, strongly pressed closing stages of final furlong, all out, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar beating Lusis Naturea (10-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Abraham (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Prominent, soon 2nd, led after about 5f, pushed along from early straight, soon pressed, headed and kept on same pace well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind All Body And Soul (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
King Of Aragon (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 4th, not fluent 5th and 3 out, 4th before straight, progress travelling smoothly approaching 2 out where challenged and slight mistake, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 16, 19l behind Babbling Stream (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn sft in Feb.
Poitin 11-2 (11-8) Soon held up in rear and took keen hold, off pace 4f out, ridden from 2f out, no impression, never a factor, 9th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Eshtiaal (12-3) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Mar.
Sharjah (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Carried (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Lake Champlain (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, weakened, last of 8, dist behind Slowmotion (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Time For Mabel (FR) 12-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Carried (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Alnahar (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) Mid-division, ridden in 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Lusis Naturea (10-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Mar.
Catch Word (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 4th under 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, 2nd under 1f out, stayed on well to strongly pressed winner to line, 2nd of 7, nk behind Posing (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Apr.
