mid-division early, 5th at 3rd, still chasing leaders before straight, no extra 2 out
mid-division early, 7th at 3rd, closer order from 6th, soon chased leaders, no impression and slight mistake last, no extra run-in
soon led and went on, wandered slightly before 2nd and 3rd, slight mistake 5th, reduced lead from 6th, slight mistake 3 out, headed before 2 out, no extra and not fluent last
prominent, not fluent 2nd, 4th at 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, weakened and not fluent 2 out, tailed off
held up, 12th at 3rd, no impression after 7th, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division early, 8th at 3rd, no extra approaching straight and pulled up before 2 out
held up, 11th at 3rd, fell 7th
mid-division early, 6th at 3rd, slight mistake 3 out, no extra from before straight, tailed off
held up, last at 3rd, slight mistake 4th, closer order from 6th, chased leaders before straight and ridden, 2nd and closed from before last, led closing stagess and stayed on best
held up, a little keen, 10th at 3rd, closer order from 6th, soon chased leaders, no impression and not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in
soon raced in 2nd, lost position from before 3 out, no extra from before straight
soon chased leaders, 3rd at 3rd, closer order from 6th, led before 2 out, soon attempted to assert, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
held up, 9th at 3rd, closer order from 6th to chase leaders, no extra from before straight
This is a very competitive handicap but Dundrum Lad goes well fresh and could be interesting. Chesterfield King was second at Leopardstown after winning a novice event here and the return to a longer trip will suit. Benefit Of Magic is usually thereabouts and course and distance winner Shar Whats Therush still held every chance when falling at Punchestown. Call A Cab beat a subsequent winner at Punchestown in February but may not really come into his own until tackling fences. Gordon Elliott could hold the key to this as he saddles both Limerick maiden winner Caltex and Clonmel scorer BACK BAR. The latter has been raised 9lb but he seems sure to do better over this longer trip in time. Last Man Standing is still unexposed and making his handicap debut so is worth a second look in the betting.
Caltex (FR) 6-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge approaching straight and led before 2 out, soon ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 6f mdn hvy in Mar beating Percy Veer (11-12) by 6l, 6 ran.
Call A Cab (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd before 4th, pushed along before straight, gained narrow lead before last, stayed on well run-in to assert closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Icario (11-11) by 2l, 16 ran.
Chesterfield King (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Grand Partner (11-6) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Mar.
Poker Party (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead briefly 5 out, 3rd next, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, weakened entering straight, 7th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Dromore Lad (10-10) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Dundrum Lad (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders, 4th from 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, 5th before straight, kept on same pace from before last, 4th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Shanning (11-1) at Galway 2m 1f sft in Oct.
Last Man Standing (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, progress into 3rd 5 out, slight mistake 3 out, 2nd after 3 out, ridden and no impression before straight, no extra in 3rd entering straight, mistake 2 out, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 6, dist behind Chris's Dream (11-2) at Clonmel 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Snugsborough Hall (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, 11th approaching 6th, closed travelling smoothly from before straight, good headway to lead approaching straight, soon narrowly headed, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Mind's Eye (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp sft in Dec.
Back Bar (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Soon chased leader, closed up to challenge into straight, soon on terms, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden to assert, stayed on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in Mar beating Timmie Roe (11-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
Nobody Home (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 3 out and 8th next, kept on one pace run-in, never a factor, 5th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Brave Out (11-3) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Sparky Stowaway (IRE) 5-1cfav (11-2) Mid-division on inner, closer in 7th when bad mistake 3 out and soon pulled up quickly, at Naas 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Benefit Of Magic (IRE) 9-4fav (10-2) Close up in 2nd and disputed lead at times, not fluent 9th, definite 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Young Paddymc (10-3) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp hvy in Mar.
Global Fert (IRE) 3-1fav (12-0) Held up, progress into 6th after 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 10th of 17, 31 3/4l behind Cubomania (11-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp hvy in Dec.
Shar Whats Therush (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 6th after 6th, went 2nd from 2 out, every chance disputing lead when fell last, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
Hows Patsy (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along and headway to go 2nd before 2 out, ridden to challenge approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, not match winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Chateauneuf Du Pap (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f hvy in Mar.