chased leaders on inner, ridden in 4th 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, 3rd at halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, briefly 2nd under 1f out, no extra in 3rd close home
dwelt, soon mid-division on inner, ridden 2f out, no impression
always towards rear, never a factor
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no impression
in rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression
chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, weakened
rear of mid-division on outer, no impression straight, never a factor
chased leaders, 2nd at halfway, pushed along and led 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed close home, kept on well
slowly into stride, always behind, under pressure halfway, never a factor
mid-division, briefly short of room 2f out, soon pushed along, 5th and ridden 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, strongly pressed winner to line
Seven of these are course winners with Sunset Nova having won three times here. He ran a cracking race in a stronger handicap than this here on Sunday and a repeat would see him difficult to beat. Masalai is a five-times track winner who completed a double in February and was having his third start in 19 days when a beaten favourite on his hat-trick bid. Colin Keane brought TIPPERARY MOON with a well-timed challenge to lead close home here at the end of last month, scoring with a bit in hand. A 6lb rise shouldn't be enough to prevent a follow-up though fourth-placed Beleaguerment should get closer on the revised terms. St George's Head was in good form here over the winter though has been looking a few pounds high.
Sunset Nova (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out and ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, headed closing stages, 3rd of 8, 1/4l behind Alhaazm (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Apr.
Monzoon 12-1 (10-0) Chased leader, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 4l behind Jered Maddox (9-10) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Mar.
Caesar's Comet (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Bumped rival soon after start, mid-division, 7th approaching straight, switched right 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace without threatening after, 7th of 15, 10 1/4l behind Sister Lola (9-10) at Gowran Park 7f hcp sft in Apr.
Masalai (IRE) 9-4fav (9-13) Held up in mid-division, ridden to close 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Togoville (10-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
St George's Head (IRE) 15-2 (9-13) Disputed lead, pressed straight, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra, 10th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Akhlaaq (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Apr.
Sondheim (IRE) 28-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Eglish (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Drish Hero (IRE) 125-1 (9-9) Towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, some headway under 2f out and 8th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Dedillon (9-4) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar.
Beleaguerment (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Towards rear, pushed along and some headway between horses under 2f out, ridden in mid-division over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 4th close home, 4th of 13, 3l behind Tipperary Moon (9-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
Royal Hideaway (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) A little slow into stride and pushed along briefly, raced near side group, waited with, 15th halfway, soon headway, one pace over 1f out, 19th of 22, 11 1/4l behind Brave Display (8-11) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Apr.
Tipperary Moon (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and headway under 2f out, led early final furlong, kept on well, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar beating Sister Lola (10-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Porter Rockwell (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Disputed lead, pressed straight, headed inside final furlong, soon no extra, 12th of 15, 7 1/4l behind Akhlaaq (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Apr.
Jm Barrie 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along 2 1/2f out, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Roxette (10-2) at Cork 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
