towards rear, 4th 4 out, weakened and detached before last (normal 2 out), eased after last, completely tailed off
mid-division, bad mistake in 3rd at 2nd, progress in 2nd over 2f out, pushed along in 3rd 2f out, veered right and no impression final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, took closer order 2 out, travelled well to lead before last (normal 2 out), asserted final furlong, kept on well, comfortably
rear, 5th 4 out, headway before last (normal 2 out), progress in 3rd over 2f out, closed in 2nd 2f out, not much room and switched right over 1f out, no impression on winner 1f out, kept on
led and kept wide, soon increased advantage, jumped big at 1st, 5 lengths clear 4 out, reduced lead 2 out, headed before last (normal 2 out), lost place and weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
Sharjah went one better than his brilliant stablemate Hurricane Fly by winning this for the fourth time last year but had to play second fiddle to the very progressive STATE MAN in the Grade 1 Morgiana at Punchestown last month. However, this is his track and trip and will ensure the selection doesn't have an easy ride as he bids for a five-timer in the race. Pied Piper easily landed a Down Royal Grade 2 so deserves another crack at this level as he beat Vauban in a Punchestown maiden last New Year's Eve and the latter went on to land three Grade 1 juvenile contests.
Pied Piper 1-8fav (11-10) Made all, slight mistake 5th, travelling well 2 out, slight mistake at last and briefly pushed along, stayed on well, easily, won at Down Royal 2m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov beating David Garrick (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Sharjah (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Held up in touch in 3rd, jumped big 1st, closer in 3rd 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, went 2nd at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4l behind State Man (11-12) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Nov.
State Man (FR) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, jumped big 1st, not fluent 3 out, disputed next, led narrowly entering straight, soon pushed along and asserted, 3 lengths lead last, kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Nov beating Sharjah (11-12) by 4l, 4 ran.
Vauban (FR) 4-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, slow 1st, soon clear of remainder, travelled well after 2 out and smooth headway to lead before last, kept on well run-in, very easily, won at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr beating Fil Dor (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
She Is Electric (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Raced freely, led and soon clear, reduced lead before 2 out, (normal 3 out) headed bypassing the last, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 11l behind Fennor Cross (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
