towards rear and 8th from halfway, pushed along in closer 5th from 2 out and soon slightly short of room, ridden and no impression before last, kept on into 3rd run-in
chased leader in close 2nd, dropped to 3rd shortly after halfway, pushed along and went 2nd from 2 out, every chance from last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in
mid-division and 6th from halfway, good progress into 2nd from 3 out, pecked on landing after next, ridden in 3rd before last and no impression, dropped to 4th run-in
mid-division and 7th from halfway, closer in 4th when mistake 2 out and soon ridden, no impression and eased in 7th before last
mid-division and 5th from halfway, ridden in 7th from 3 out and no impression after next, kept on into 5th run-in
towards rear, not fluent 6th and dropped to rear from halfway, detached and no impression in 9th before 3 out
chased leaders and 3rd from halfway, soon improved into closer 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th from 3 out, rallied and led marginally before last, kept on well to assert run-in
soon led, headed before last and weakened, no extra in 5th at last and dropped to 6th run-in
mid-division, not fluent 2nd and again not fluent 5th, 4th from halfway, pushed along and jumped left 3 out, soon lost place and weakened
raced in rear early, 10th from halfway, pushed along from 3 out and soon no impression, pulled up before last
chased leaders early, lost place and dropped to 9th from halfway, soon no extra and pulled up before 3 out
Bellgrove took advantage of heavy conditions to beat Littlestickarubarb comfortably at Tramore. The runner-up won his previous and subsequent races so if the ground turns soft the veteran will take some beating. He had earlier finished behind Lacken Bridge at Gowran, when JUST A NORMAL DAY was runner-up, but is in better form than the winner. The latter hasn't run since that day in November but Davy Russell's presence suggests he's ready to double his winning tally over fences. Thatbeatsbanagher makes his handicap debut over fences and could be reasonably treated but Hoke Colburn, a dual winner in the UK, has changed stables after pulling up at Warwick in December.
Hoke Colburn (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Hampered start, held up, headway 10th, mistake 11th, soon weakened, pulled up after, at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Bellgrove (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Made most, joined at 6th, regained lead after 3 out, ridden and went clear after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m hcp hvy in Apr beating Littlestickarubarb (11-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Just A Normal Day (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Waited with, 9th after 3rd, headway from next, impeded 3 out, challenged between horses from before last where on terms, headed and kept on without matching winner close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Lacken Bridge (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m hcp Yielding in Nov.
Slemish (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway into 5th 4 out, improved to lead on inner 2 out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar beating Allduckornodinner (11-4) by 9 1/2l, 9 ran.
Lacken Bridge (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, moderate 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 7, 10 1/4l behind King's Song (11-6) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Apr.
Thatbeatsbanagher (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pecked slightly in 6th 4 out, pushed along and no impression next, slight mistake 2 out, no extra, 9th of 13, 34 1/4l behind Bridies Boy (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Stoughan Cross (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Prominent and disputed lead, slight mistake 5th, headed 5 out, pushed along and no impression after next, soon no extra, weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Sizing Rome (11-10) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp gd in Mar.
Takemeback (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Soon led, mistake 7th, soon extended lead and 6 lengths clear when mistake 6 out, reduced advantage and jumped left next, headed 3 out, 4th and jumped left next, soon no extra, 6th of 13, 24 1/4l behind Bridies Boy (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Hard Bought (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, dropped to mid-division halfway, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jan.
Jimmyjames 15-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders, jumped left at 4th, went 2nd at next, disputed lead from 6th, jumped left 5 out and 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, dropped to moderate 4th 2 out, no impression, last of 5, 32 1/2l behind Bellgrove (11-5) at Tramore 2m hcp hvy in Apr.
Aces And Kings (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Pr, ld 3rd, hdd 6out, 2nd app str, disp ld last, hdd run-in, 2nd of 5, 2l behind A Decent Excuse (11-11) at Stradbally 3m gd in May.
Whatsinthecorner (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in last, ridden and detached in last 4 out, moderate last 2 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 22 1/2l behind Bellgrove (11-5) at Tramore 2m hcp hvy in Apr.
Celebrity Status (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd before 4 out, ridden after 2 out and no impression in 3rd approaching last where mistake, no extra run-in, 4th of 9, 17 1/4l behind Sizing Rome (11-10) at Thurles 2m 4f hcp gd in Mar.
Robbies Magic (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Rear, not fluent 1st, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 8th of 11, 33 1/4l behind At Your Ease (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f gd in Apr.
