chased leaders, 6th halfway, 4th 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and pressed run-in, kept on well
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2 out
rear of mid-division, no impression from 2 out
mid-division, 8th 3 out, ridden into 5th last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd entering straight, ridden before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra before last
mid-division, headway into 6th entering straight, 5th 2 out, ridden in 6th when mistake last, no extra run-in
mid-division, 8th 2 out, ridden into 2nd last, pressed winner run-in, no extra close home
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway into 7th 2 out, ridden and no extra before last
led, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, no extra and weakened
Pires hasn't shown much on the Flat lately but it would be no surprise if Tony Martin has been preparing him for a tilt at this decent prize. Alaivan has a touch of class and Jack Cool has been in terrific form, winning at Limerick before finishing a close-up second at Aintree. Doctor Deejay wasn't disgraced over 3m at Cork last time but this is his best trip, though he's been creeping up the weights without winning. Isabellareine made an encouraging return to action on the all-weather at Dundalk and is another with claims but Fred Winter winner What A Charm has to compete from out of the handicap proper against his elders and we prefer PRINCE OF FIRE. Charlie Swan's gelding looked on the way back when third to Jack Cool at Limerick and enjoys a massive turnaround in the weights here.
Alaivan (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) In touch, headway 2 out, soon challenged, every chance last until one pace flat, no extra, 6th of 26, 2 1/2l behind Final Approach (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Jack Cool (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Prominent, chased winner approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led but hard pressed, headed towards finish, just held, 2nd of 21, nk behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd.
Lethal Weapon (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, fell 4th, in a race won by Overturn (11-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gf in Jul, 19 ran.
Doctor Deejay (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway on outer entering straight, went 6th 2 out, ridden in 5th at last, no impression run-in, 5th of 17, 4l behind Raz De Maree (9-9) at Cork 3m hcp hdl in Mar.
Dolphin Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th and progress 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, strongly pressed from last, kept on well under pressure, all out, won at Naas 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Nov beating The Dew At Night (10-0) by shd, 25 ran.
Dreamy Gent (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led after 1st, headed 5th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by St Devote (10-10) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl in Sep, 10 ran.
Isabellareine (GER) 4-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, progress into 5th 4 out, 3rd travelling well approaching 2 out, led last, ran on well, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 2m hdl fm in Sep beating Red Key (11-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 14-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, struggling in moderate 6th from before straight, soon no impression and kept on without threatening, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Jack Cool (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl.
Pires 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in touch, 6th 5 out, smooth progress 3 out, 2nd travelling best 2 out, led approaching last, ridden clear, comfortably, won at Bellewstown 2m 1f hdl gd in Aug beating Hamalka (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Action Master 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, reminder 2nd, closer in 7th 5 out, moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression, 6th of 13, 18l behind Jack Cool (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl.
Lilywhitedancer (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Rear of mid-division, 13th 2 out, headway entering straight, ridden into 5th last, kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 17, 5l behind Pittoni (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Feb.
Tijuana Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, progress after 4 out, ridden in 4th from 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 10l behind Temlett (10-5) at Cork 2m hcp hdl in Mar.
Carpenter (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, some late headway into 11th before 2 out, kept on same pace, 8th of 30, 16l behind Abbey Glen (10-1) at Navan 2m cond hcp hdl (80-109) in Mar.
What A Charm (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) In touch in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, tracking leaders next, challenging when bumped just before last, led flat, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar beating Kumbeshwar (11-7) by nk, 23 ran.
