soon mid-division, 7th approaching straight, under pressure from 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, no impression from 2f out, eased closing stages
soon led, pressed from over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon one pace in 3rd
always prominent, travelling smoothly early straight, ridden over 2f out, soon challenged, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home
tracked leaders, soon 4th, challenged from 2f out, gained narrow lead from 1f out, pressed and kept on well inside final furlong, headed close home
prominent, 3rd approaching straight, under pressure from 2f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
soon mid-division, 5th approaching straight, soon improved on outer, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out
towards rear, improved on outer straight, ridden to chase leaders and no impression from over 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
chased leaders, 6th approaching straight, dropped towards rear 2f out, eased inside final furlong
Most of these drop back in trip but that won't bother VASTONEA as he won this contest last year. He's 5lb lower today so Kevin Prendergast's charge looks set for another bold bid with an outing over 1m2f at Cork under his belt. He'll need to reverse running at Cork with runner-up Einsteins Folly and sixth-placed Croi An Or but both of the latter will find today's trip on the short side. Dark Crusader and Maundy Money look in the handicapper's grip while the prolific Castle Guest is 10lb higher than when scoring at Leopardstown in November. The Four Elms is 6lb higher on his return to the Flat while Piri Wango hasn't raced since 2012.
Croi An Or (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Soon mid-division, still travelling smoothly 2f out, 9th 1f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on, 6th of 12, 1 3/4l behind General Brook (8-9) at Cork 1m 2f hcp in Apr.
Dark Crusader (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, never a factor, eased inside final furlong, last of 14, 18l behind Intensical (8-6) at Naas 7f hcp 60-100 in Apr.
Castle Guest (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Soon led and made virtually all, pushed along to assert over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp sft in Nov beating Morga (9-9) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Piri Wango (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed early straight, weakened from 2f out, last of 8, 9l behind Famous Name (9-12) at Curragh 1m Grp 3 (1) in Sep '12.
Einsteins Folly (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, wide and headway straight, ridden to go close 5th 1f out, soon challenged and on terms, kept on well, just denied on line, 2nd of 12, shd behind General Brook (8-9) at Cork 1m 2f hcp in Apr.
Maundy Money 25-1 (8-12) Settled in mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along and no extra in 8th 2f out, weakened, 8th of 9, 31l behind Sun On The Run (9-5) at Cork 7f hcp hvy in Apr.
Vastonea (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders early, led after 2f, headed and close 3rd 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 9th of 12, 1 3/4l behind General Brook (8-9) at Cork 1m 2f hcp in Apr.
The Four Elms (IRE) 11-4 (8-3) Chased leaders in 4th, good headway to challenge 2f out and led over 1f out, driven out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Cork 1m 2f hcp sft in May '13 beating Gunner Lindley (8-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Diesel Ten (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden entering straight and no extra in moderate 8th 2f out, weakened, 11th of 12, 23l behind Lady Giselle (9-10) at Limerick 1m hcp in Apr.
