pulled hard, chased leaders, good progress travelling keenly from 5 out, close up when fell 3 out
soon led and disputed, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed and weakened
prominent, slight mistake 4th, travelling well in 2nd approaching straight, led last, strongly pressed late run-in, headed near finish
chased leaders, 8th approaching 2 out, ridden in moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression and kept on
soon mid-division, ridden from 5 out, 9th approaching 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, ridden into 3rd approaching straight, 2nd and challenged run-in, stayed on best to lead near finish
always towards rear, completely tailed off
chased leaders, 7th approaching 2 out, ridden into moderate 4th before straight, soon no impression and kept on without threatening run-in
soon led and disputed, strongly pressed and slight mistake 2 out, headed and no extra from last, kept on same pace
mid-division, not too far off pace when pulled up after 2 out, dismounted
mid-division, hampered 3 out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden in moderate 8th before straight, soon no impression, kept on
very slow jump 1st, attempted to duck out when unseated rider 2nd
chased leaders, 6th approaching 2 out, ridden in moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th approaching 2 out, ridden in moderate 6th before straight, soon no impression
towards rear, no danger and kept on from 3 out
always towards rear
Dermot Weld won this three years in succession from 2004 so the presence of Force Of Habit commands the utmost respect. A recent winner on the flat at Fairyhouse from a mark of 58, his overall form doesn't look up to this but he cannot be left out of calculations. Cabernet Sauvignon had no problems dismissing the odds-on Suffren at Gowran and should do so again though the ground was very fast that day and conditions will be much tougher here. Jerry's Agent won't mind the ground and made all for a comfortable victory over a decent field at Bellewstown under a fine ride from Bryan Cooper, whose claim will be a big help here. Runner-up on that occasion was FINGAL ROCK, who was having his first start since falling when in contention in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown. The easier conditions will suit Peter Casey's charge and he gets the vote in a very competitive opener. Hail Caesar, who was fifth at Bellewstown, has since scored easily at Ballinrobe but there's no apparent reason why he should reverse the form with Jerry's Agent and Fingal Rock.
Cabernet Sauvignon 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, 2nd travelling well 3 out, led next, ridden and kept on well from last, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl gf in Jun beating Suffren (11-4) by 5l, 10 ran.
Jerry's Agent (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Made all, ridden and challenged 2 out, strongly pressed last, kept on well run-in, won at Bellewstown 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl gf beating Fingal Rock (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hail Caesar (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, improved to challenge 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden and kept on strongly from before last, comfortably, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo mdn hdl beating Half Full (10-13) by 7l, 15 ran.
Suffren (USA) 5-6fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, ridden entering straight, headed 2 out, no impression on winner when not fluent last, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Cabernet Sauvignon (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl gf in Jun.
The Rossmeister (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, improved to lead after 4 out, joined entering straight, led again after 3 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well from last, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl gf in May beating Wise (11-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Force Of Habit 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from before next, 3rd of 15, 15l behind The Cockney Squire (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl sft in Apr.
My Anshan (IRE) Anshan gelding out of Kilworth Mist.
Northern Rocker (USA) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, closed from after 4 out, challenged and on terms before 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Sweet My Lord (11-7) at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Apr.
Paintmaker 25-1 (11-0) Held up, 7th 4 out, ridden in 5th before next, kept on one paced in 4th straight, 4th of 10, 10l behind Cabernet Sauvignon (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl gf in Jun.
Tadhg (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 5th, 3rd 3 out, moderate 4th approaching 2 out, left moderate 2nd from last, kept on, 2nd of 15, 21l behind Mighty Whitey (11-4) at Sligo 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd.
Amazon Warrior (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In rear, no impression on leaders from 4 out, kept on one paced, 5th of 10, well behind Cabernet Sauvignon (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo hdl gf in Jun.
Firm Foundations (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th approaching 4 out, improved into 3rd under pressure before 3 out, moderate 2nd after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 28l behind Son Amix (11-0) at Navan 2m 4yo mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Image Is Everythin (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Fell 1st, in a race won by Hail Caesar (11-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo mdn hdl, 15 ran.
Lady Samphire (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Never a factor, 14th of 16, 28l behind Miss Pepperpot (10-13) at Wexford 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl gd in Mar.
Noras Fancy (IRE) 11-1 (10-1) Mid-division, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd before next, 3rd at last, went 2nd run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Schumpters Lad (11-1) at Wexford 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Jun.
Piercetown Kit (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Led, headed 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 25l behind Edmondstown Lass (9-6) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-60 sft (flat).
Zero Point Seven (USA) 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division best, ridden and no impression 3f out, 12th of 21, 16l behind Mid Mon Lady (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp 60-90 sft in Oct (flat).
Fingal Rock (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, pressed leader last, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Jerry's Agent (11-0) at Bellewstown 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl gf.
