led, joined from before 4 out, ridden and headed when dropped to 4th 2 out, no impression on leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead from before 4 out, ridden 2 out, led after last, stayed on well inside final furlong
in touch in rear, jumped well, closer in 5th at halfway, 3rd 3 out, disputed lead and ridden 2 out, headed and dropped to 3rd after last, kept on inside final furlong
in touch in rear, headway into 5th 3 out, improved to dispute lead and ridden 2 out, headed after last, kept on well in 2nd close home
tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake 1st, mistake 8th, mistake 4 out and dropped to rear, soon weakened
tracked leaders, dropped to rear at 7th, closer again in 4th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th 2 out, no impression
David Christie has won this for the past two years and has two entries. ASK D‘MAN, five times a winner between the flags, was sent to Stratford in May last year and came away with the spoils so he gets the vote over stablemate Global Assembly, a disappointing favourite at Castletown last month though the winner has won over hurdles subsequently.. Grange Island ran against some smart opposition in the spring after landing a maiden hunters‘ event at Clonmel from Global Assembly, who can reverse the form on the revised terms. Keep Me Posted has won half of his six point-to-points and Dromleigh won by 12 lengths at Kildorrery in February but was well beaten the following month.
Ask D'Man (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) In rear, pushed along 11th, headway 4 out, outpaced after 3 out, rallied before pecked last, switched left flat, stayed on, led close home, won at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May beating Go Go Geronimo (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Grange Island (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Tracked leader and prominent at times early, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th after 3 out, soon no extra, 8th of 10, dist behind Shantou Show (12-0) at Tipperary 3m Good - Yielding in May.
Dromleigh (IRE) 5-2 (12-2) Pr, 30l 2nd 1/2way, mstk 5out, 4th 3out, prog to 3rd 2out, ko but no ch with front pair, 3rd of 7, 16 1/4l behind Asian Master (11-11) at Belclare 3m sft in Mar.
Global Assembly 4-7 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, ld brfly bef 3rd, cl 3rd from 5th, btn in 3rd when mstk 2out, 5l 3rd & no impr on 1st 2 aftr 2out, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Intersky Sunset (11-6) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m sft in Oct.
Keep Me Posted (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Led briefly, soon tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra 4f out, weakened and completed tailed off, last of 15, dist behind What's Up Darling (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 2f Good - Yielding in May.
All Loved Up (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tr ldr, mstk 3rd, 3l 2nd by 8th, 3rd aftr 3out, 4l 3rd bef 2out, no ex bef last, ko flat & went 2nd cl hm, 2nd of 5, 6 1/2l behind Ballygelly (11-11) at Moira 3m mdn hvy in Oct.