soon chased leaders, closer order and slight mistake 4 out, 6th before straight, went in pursit of winner 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last
never better than mid-division, pushed along before straight, soon no impression
waited with towards rear, some headway straight but beaten when hit 2 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, closer in 8th before straight, just behind leaders when fell 3 out
soon towards rear, niggled along from 4 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
led and clear at stages, reduced lead from before 4 out, headed and no extra next
chased leaders, 6th approaching 4 out, lost place from before straight, soon no extra, tailed off
waited with, improved approaching 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next
soon mid-division, 7th and headway before straight, 4th 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
chased leaders, lost place from before 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off
soon mid-division, a bit to do when brought down 3 out
soon mid-division, 9th before straight, ridden to chase leaders on inner from before 3 out, no impression next, went 3rd and kept on without threatening run-in
prominent, 4th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, closer order from before 4 out, prominent before straight, soon challenged, 3rd 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders, closer order from 4 out, led next, clear last, stayed on well, easily
A strong line-up for this good-grade handicap. Zerashan was undoubtedly impressive at Downpatrick last week and arrives here on a very lenient mark as he's been raised 11lb but runs with a 6lb penalty. He's an obvious threat to all and though Bay Of Kotor will be having his first start since December and is on a massive 16lb higher mark after completing a hat-trick he's young enough to continue on the upgrade. Rodriguez is running well and should be winning soon from this lowly position in the handicap while Absolutlyfantastic reverts to hurdling after a promising spell over fences and is no forlorn hope despite making his handicap debut with a big weight. SAINT GERVAIS has a huge weight to carry but could be up to it as he looked a potential grade winner when scoring with plenty in hand at Cork. He wouldn't want much more rain as he's better on quicker ground but providing the going doesn't get too soft he can continue his winning run before going on to better things.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Waited with in mid-division, 8th after 4 out, tracked leaders from before next, travelled well to lead and steadied into last, stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably, won at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Apr beating Anshan Dreams (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Gudnis Gracious Me (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 4 out, ridden along after next, dropped to 3rd at last and soon no impression, 4th of 9, 8l behind Nodelay (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd in May.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 12-1 (11-11) Waited with towards rear, mistake 5th and awkward next, no extra under pressure from 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Tillahow (11-1) at Limerick 2m 3f hdl hvy in Dec.
Chino Valdes (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, effort before last, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 9l behind Maska Pony (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gd in Jun '11.
Bay Of Kotor (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 4 out, led approaching 3 out, asserted after 2 out, not extended, won at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy in Dec beating Storm Breaker (10-13) by 9l, 10 ran.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, led before 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, kept on, no extra before last, 6th of 18, 10l behind Ghareer (10-1) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens30 in Mar.
Clonsilla Fath (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, 7th halfway, ridden in 8th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Whatuthink (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hdl sft in Jun, 9 ran.
Laughing Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, some headway into 8th entering straight, went 4th at last, kept on one pace, 4th of 25, 24l behind Oneeightofamile (11-8) at Punchestown 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 80-102 gd in May '11.
High Importance (USA) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, keen hold, slight mistake 4 out, squeezed a bit for room approaching 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, 5th and kept on same pace from last, 5th of 9, 7l behind Virgil Earp (11-4) at Galway 2m 4yo nov hdl gd in Jul '11.
Raggletagglegypsy (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, fell 4th, in a race won by Zaralabad (10-5) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in May, 18 ran.
Warrior One 33-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened, 19th of 20, 42l behind Dul Ar An Ol (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Feb.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway into moderate 8th 2 out, ridden into 6th last, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 11l behind Our Nana Rose (11-4) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd.
Captain Ocana (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Well off pace towards rear, not fluent 6th, mistake 5 out, no extra from 3 out, last of 10, well behind Dingaling (10-7) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Jun.
Anoosou (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, 2nd halfway, no extra from 2 out, weakened, 18th of 22, well behind Ten Bob (10-11) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-116 hvy in Oct.
Keep It Cool (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, travelling well and led 3 out, not fluent next, strongly pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Jul '10 beating Queen Of Cool (11-11) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Absolutlyfantastic 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leader, struggling from 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Baily Green (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov chs gs in Jun.
Zerashan (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, led after 3 out, ridden and challenged before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl beating Gold Ability (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Rodriguez (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Our Nana Rose (11-4) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd.
