chased leaders, closer in 7th after 4 out, 6th approaching straight, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
chased leaders, closer in 6th after 4 out, lost place from before straight, soon no impression
chased leaders, closer in 5th from 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from after next
mid-division, bad mistake 5 out, soon no impression
mid-division, moderate 9th approaching 5 out, closed from next, kept on same pace under pressure from 3 out
chased leaders, moderate 7th approaching 5 out, no extra after next
mid-division, 7th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
son mid-division, closer in 8th after 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
led, joined but clear of remainder approaching 5 out, reduced lead after 4 out, headed and kept on same pace approaching last
close up, on terms approaching 5 out and clear of remainder, reduced lead from 4 out, remained on terms straight, stayed on well run-in, headed near line
chased leaders, closer in 3rd after 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from after next
towards rear, headway into 4th 2 out, ridden to challenge and on terms before last where not fluent, stayed on best run-in to lead near line
mid-division, 8th early, no extra after 4 out
chased leaders, closed after 4 out, ridden to challenge next, no extra and kept on same pace approaching last
soon mid-division, no impression from after 4 out
never better than mid-division
A strong line-up for this very good prize includes last year's winner Slieveardagh, who is 16lb higher this time. Fosters Cross is invariably competitive both over fences and hurdles and is no forlorn hope, despite a huge weight, but the ultra-consistent veteran Dolphin Bay is on his highest-ever mark over timber on his 16th start. False Economy is progressing nicely and is capable of a big run despite a 7lb rise for scoring at Ballinrobe while Action Master has been in good form, though he's another climbing the weights. IDARAH has definitely improved over fences since arriving from the UK and can revert to hurdles on what looks a lenient mark. Philip Enright has been on board for his last two runs and can continue his winning association with Paul Cashman's charge. The lightly-raced Pozyc looks a big threat though he may just need further than this.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Towards rear, fell 3 out, in a race won by Idarah (10-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Slieveardagh (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Soon mid-division, closed 5 out, moderate 4th after next, soon struggling, kept on same pace under pressure straight, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Salesin (11-5) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, closer into 9th 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 19, 14l behind Johnny McGeeney (10-0) at Punchestown 2m ext hcp hdl gd.
Dolphin Bay (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, 8th 3 out, ridden into 5th last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Jack Cool (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Silk Hall (UAE) 66-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 10, 27l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Silver Friend 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 10th halfway, 8th 3 out, ridden next, 4th and kept on from last, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Peak Raider (9-3) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Feb.
False Economy (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Soon raced in moderate 4th, closer in 3rd on outer straight, led before last and hung left briefly, ridden out to assert run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m hdl gd in Apr beating Final Victory (11-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Total Excitement (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) In rear, headway from 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, kept on to go 3rd from last, 3rd of 19, 7l behind Johnny McGeeney (10-0) at Punchestown 2m ext hcp hdl gd.
Action Master 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 8th 2 out, ridden into 2nd last, pressed winner run-in, no extra close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Jack Cool (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Rory Anna (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Soon tracked leaders, dropped to moderate 3rd and struggling from before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 13l behind Jack Cool (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl in Apr.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 13, 12l behind Jack Cool (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Idarah (USA) 25-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2 out, soon led, ridden and narrowly headed approaching last, rallied to lead again run-in, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Apr beating Osana (11-1) by 1l, 12 ran.
Castle Anshan (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, 12th 6 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight, 6th of 20, 20l behind Captain Paulie (11-7) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Apr.
Princeton Plains (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up, headway from 3 out, 4th entering straight, ridden to lead before 2 out and strongly pressed, headed approaching last, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Nearest The Pin (10-6) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Apr.
Fever Pitch (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Always prominent, led before 4 out, stayed on well under pressure to draw clear from last, won at Tramore 2m 5yo mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Raggletagglegypsy (11-4) by 4l, 15 ran.
Pozyc (FR) 13-8fav (10-0) Mid-division, 8th and short of room 2 out, effort and closed before last, switched right early run-in, kept on well close home, never nearer, 5th of 20, 2l behind Silent Creek (10-2) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 sft in Mar.
Strain Of Fame (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, no extra from 2 out, 9th of 13, 26l behind Prima Vista (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 in Dec.
Go On Ya Boyo 12-1 (10-8) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 14, 30l behind Temlett (10-5) at Cork 2m hcp hdl in Mar.
Hassanali (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway into 8th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, no extra before last, 8th of 20, 25l behind The Buck (10-8) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Mar.
Golan Guy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway in 8th 3 out, 5th early straight, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl gf beating Doux Douce (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Quartz Debilleron (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 5th after 2 out, ridden into 4th approaching last, soon 3rd and kept on without threatening, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Old Theatre Royal (11-11) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Apr.
