prominent, 3rd early, 2nd straight, ridden and not match winner from 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, on terms briefly approaching halfway, no impression from before straight, soon no extra
soon led, joined briefly approaching halfway, still travelling smoothly straight, pushed along from 2f out, ridden out and stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders, 6th early, no impression from 2f out in 4th, one pace
held up, soon towards rear, ridden before halfway, soon no danger, completely tailed off
held up in touch, 7th early, no impression from 2f out in 3rd, one pace
chased leaders, 4th early, no impression approaching straight, soon no extra
held up, 8th early, clipped heels and unseated rider 7f out
tracked leaders, 5th early, weakened 4f out, completely tailed off
Samcro won this last year but all of these have some way to go to match his exploits, though the form of this bumper is usually worth following. Easy Punchestown winner Getaway John and the unbeaten Sometime Soon are stablemates of Samcro and both ridden by top-class amateurs. Nina Carberry partners Leopardstown third Brace Yourself for Noel Meade but Wexford scorer Thosedaysaregone is held by a couple of these on previous form. One of those is VOIX DES TIEP, who looked much improved at Thurles last month and may well prove the pick of his stable’s three runners with his rider taking off a valuable 7lb, though Derby is on a hat-trick and Squadron Commander made a winning debut at Cork in January under a hands and heels ride.
Brace Yourself (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching straight, soon moderate 5th and no impression, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 9, 16 1/2l behind Blackbow (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Derby (FR) 1-2fav (12-0) Made all, narrow leader from before halfway, pushed along and went clear under 2f out, stayed on well under hands and heels final furlong, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 2f hvy in Mar beating Presented Well (12-0) by 11l, 5 ran.
Getaway John (IRE) 4-7fav (11-13) Tracked leader, disputed lead before halfway and led 6f out, travelled well and asserted early straight, 5 lengths clear 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Punchestown 2m hvy in Feb beating Castle North (12-0) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sometime Soon (IRE) 2-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway approaching straight and led 2f out, ridden 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Feb beating Buddy Rich (11-13) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Squadron Commander (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th approaching halfway, pushed along to close and challenge over 2f out, soon led and asserted, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m hvy in Jan beating Love N' Peace (11-7) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Thosedaysaregone (IRE) 9-2 (11-13) Mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and headway approaching straight, ridden to lead under 2f out and soon asserted, under pressure and wandered inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wexford 2m 4f hvy in Mar beating Moratorium (11-13) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Voix Des Tiep (FR) 1-2fav (12-0) Led, headed 5f out, regained lead 2 1/2f out, asserted over 1f out, easily, won at Thurles 2m hvy in Mar beating Extrapolate (12-0) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Batcio (FR) 33-1 (12-0) Towards rear, never a factor, no impression approaching straight, ridden and kept on one pace from 2f out (finished 6th, placed 5th), 6th of 10, 13l behind Sometime Soon (11-13) at Fairyhouse 2m sft in Feb.
Devil's Glen (IRE) Jeremy gelding out of Sandymount Lady.
