ridden early and led after 1st, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 4th after 2 out
chased leaders, 9th halfway, hampered 4 out and 3 out, no threat in straight, tailed off
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead briefly entering straight, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no chance with winner and 3rd before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, reminders after 4th, dropped to rear halfway, no impression when badly hampered 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, 6th halfway and 4th 4 out, fell next
mid-division, ridden and dropped to rear after halfway, detached after 4 out, completely tailed off
rear of mid-division, 8th when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, 8th halfway, progress approaching straight and went 3rd 2 out, no impression on winner in 2nd before last, kept on one pace
settled in rear, some progress approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out and soon led, stretched clear before last where not fluent, kept on well run-in, easily
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and lost place 5 out, in rear approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, pushed along in 9th when hampered 3 out, no extra entering straight and pulled up before 2 out
led early, tracked leader in 2nd after 1st, pushed along when slight mistake 4 out, no extra in 8th entering straight, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression early straight, moderate 5th before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden after 3 out and no extra from next
Is Love Alive gained a surprise victory at Leopardstown last month and the assessor hasn't been too hard on him. With Kevin Sexton claiming 5lb he's a threat to all. After landing a 2m3f handicap at Naas, SAMMY BLACK found the minimum trip too short at Limerick and this is more like it so he's handed the vote. Silver Tassie has been competing at a high level and will appreciate this better ground so he's definitely on the shortlist as is Express Du Berlais, who made a successful handicap debut at Down Royal where he stayed on very strongly. Undertheboardwalk has been chasing and can revert to hurdles on a lower mark while Gimli's Rock has won races from higher marks in the past.
Seefood (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 17th of 22, 44l behind Doctor Harper (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd.
Vics Canvas (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) In touch, fell 1st, in a race won by Fingal Bay (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Prince Rudi (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Prominent early and tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd from 5th, headway to dispute briefly 2 out, headed approaching last where jumped left, no extra run-in, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Courtncatcher (10-12) at Naas 2m 4f in Oct.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders in 4th, 6th when slight mistake 3 out and no extra when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Minella For Value (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f chs gd in Sep, 10 ran.
Silver Tassie (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, mainly 5th, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, left 4th, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 17l behind Lots Of Memories (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Is Love Alive 20-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, disputed lead briefly 4 out, close 3rd 2 out, ridden to lead entering straight, strongly pressed at last, stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Mar beating Emperor Of Exmoor (11-12) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Owennacurra Milan (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Soon chased leaders, closed into 2nd approaching straight, challenged from before 2 out, soon on terms, gained narrow lead run-in, headed closing stages, dropped to 3rd near line, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Man With Van (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl hvy in Feb.
Sammy Black (GER) 9-2 (10-10) Soon raced in mid-division and mainly 7th early, progress travelling smoothly approaching straight, chased winner in 2nd from before last but no impression, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Getoutwhenyoucan (10-2) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Cara's Oscar (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Soon mid-division, no extra approaching 2 out, 16th of 20, well behind Call Me Bubbles (10-2) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl sft in Aug.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along at 5th, weakened from 5 out, 11th of 15, 45l behind Maguire's Glen (10-6) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft.
Undertheboardwalk (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, progress into 11th 2 out, ridden in 7th before last, kept on well run-in to 3rd close home, 3rd of 21, 4l behind He'llberemembered (10-4) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs sft in Jan.
Express Du Berlais (FR) 9-1 (10-8) Led and disputed, led before 4 out, challenged 3 out, ridden and disputed 2 out, asserted last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Down Royal 3m hcp hdl in Mar beating Vincent Row (10-8) by 1l, 12 ran.
Bangonform (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden from 4 out, 9th approaching straight, soon no extra, 10th of 13, 31l behind Bothair Clei (9-10) at Cork 3m hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
Rock's Field (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Disputed early, soon chased leader, led before 6th, ridden clear before last, kept on well, reduced advantage and eased close home, won at Punchestown 2m 6f mares mdn hdl hvy in Feb beating Kymin's Way (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
