chased leaders, 6th before straight, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
mid-division, progress into 5th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong
off pace towards rear, progress into 7th before straight, challenged on inner final furlong, stayed on well under pressure to lead close home, all out
rear of mid-division, progress into 8th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 7th early, weakened approaching straight
prominent, 4th early, weakened approaching straight
rear of mid-division, no impression approaching straight
prominent, 4th before straight, soon no extra under pressure
well off pace towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from before straight
soon led, headed before straight, soon no extra, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division, no impression and kept on same pace from before straight
chased leaders, 8th early, lost place and no extra from before straight
rear of mid-division best, never a factor
tracked leaders, 3rd before straight, challenged under pressure and briefly in front closing stages, soon narrowly headed, rallied well, just failed
close up, led before straight, strongly pressed final furlong, headed and kept on same pace
well off pace towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from before straight
A tricky race for punters with just one winning favourite in the past 10 years and a couple of real outsiders successful. Northern Rocked has had very little racing and the fact that he showed improved form at Listowel and he wears blinkers for the first time suggests he will be fancied here. Initiation gained his first victory in 13 starts when beating Slapper at Tipperary and he should go well again despite a 6lbs hike in the weights. College Scholar had dropped to a very lowly mark when beating Eurosmart Lady at Naas and still isn't badly treated despite an 8lbs rise while Fit The Cove is actually 5lbs lower than when landing the second of his victories at the meeting a year ago and looks to be running into form at the right time. HE'S GOT RHYTHM is very difficult to win with but his turn may have come. David Marnane's charge is running well from a fair mark at present and his recent second to Inwood at Leopardstown points to his chance here.
