Esculenta returned to action last spring with two cracking runs but disappointed later. Most Wanted was a 100/1 chance for her Leopardstown debut but belied his odds with a narrow defeat and the runner-up won easily next time. Riverina Charm was only beaten a length into third at Dundalk in November and though Party Central has a long absence to overcome she was in superb form over timber around this time a year ago and gained her fourth victory over hurdles by taking a Listed race at Punchestown. Expound has been in good form at Dundalk but the vote goes to UNTERBERG. Ger Lyon‘s charge was heavily supported on his reappearance at Dundalk in January but found 6f much too sharp and can gain compensation though the Frankel colt Fernao, a half-brother to a Group 1 winner, is a newcomer to note.
Arc Eyes (IRE) 125-1 (11-7) Held up and ran freely early, progress after 1st, led 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, jumped slightly right 4th, mistake 3 out, soon headed and ridden, no extra and weakened, tailed off, 19th of 23, dist behind By Your Side (11-7) at Naas 2m mdn Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Art Of Silence (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, no extra over 2f out, weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Star Kissed (9-4) at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn hvy in Apr.
Benzine 10-3 (9-5) Very slowly into stride, always in rear, ridden along before 3f out, never involved, 11th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Last Ammo (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Chicago Storm 7-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no extra from 2f out, 7th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Ceallach (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Jul.
Expound 15-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders on inner, briefly short of room 2f out, soon pushed along, pushed along in 3rd 1 1/2f out, ridden and disputed 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Relevant Range (9-9) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar.
Fernao (IRE) Frankel colt out of Macheera.
Init Together 200-1 (10-7) Broke well, settled back in mid-division, pushed along early straight and no impression in 9th over 2f out, soon no extra, 8th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Drumroll (9-8) at Navan 1m mdn hvy in Mar.
Most Wanted (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, went close 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Rare Middleton (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Unterberg (IRE) 6-5fav (9-9) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden in moderate 6th over 1f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Aces Wild (9-9) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Jan.
Actually (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 9l behind Ted Hastings (10-1) at Bellewstown 1m 4f mdn gd in Sep.
Areana (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders on outer, took keen hold, pushed along 3f out, 4th 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Relevant Range (9-9) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar.
Bobbys Angel 200-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, 10th of 12, 16l behind Solar Breeze (9-4) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb.
Dark Miss (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Slow into stride, towards rear on outer and pushed along in 12th halfway, ridden and no impression from over 2f out, 11th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Dabana (9-4) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Feb.
Esculenta (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 16th of 18, 13 1/4l behind Toy (9-2) at Naas 1m lst fll stks (1) sft in Oct.
Influential Lady (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, trailing and mistake 5 out, no impression from next, never a factor, 10th of 11, dist behind Whiskey Lullaby (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Party Central (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) In touch, 4th after 4th, took closer order after 2 out, headway to lead narrowly last, asserted run-in, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m lst (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Instit (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Riverina Charm (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to press leaders 2f out, challenged 1f out, disputed final 150 yards, headed close home, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Soilse (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Nov.
Akaabir (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Mid-division, no impression from 2f out, weakened, 17th of 20, 17 3/4l behind Shadowed (9-8) at Curragh 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Nicky's Champ (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along in 12th 2f out, no impression, never a factor, 11th of 20, 13l behind Shadowed (9-8) at Curragh 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Old Peculier 100-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division in centre, effort 2f out, no impression over 1f out, eased closing stages, 9th of 15, 16 1/2l behind Red Letter Bray (9-8) at Naas 6f mdn hvy in Mar.
