led, strongly pressed and headed entering straight, soon no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, headway into 5th approaching straight, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 6th on outer approaching straight, soon no extra and weakened
held up in rear, never a factor, kept on one pace
mid-division on outer, pushed along in 7th entering straight, soon no extra
settled in mid-division, good headway into 3rd approaching straight, smooth progress to lead under 2f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably
prominent early, ridden and along and dropped to rear halfway, weakened approaching straight, tailed off
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden and led briefly entering straight, soon no chance with winner and dropped to 3rd over 1f out, no extra
held up towards rear, headway to go 6th entering straight, soon ridden and no chance with winner from over 1f out, kept on same pace into 3rd final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden on inner entering straight, soon no impression, kept on one pace
Jessica Harrington, responsible for last year's winner Dreamy Gent, looks to have another live candidate in STEPS TO FREEDOM. Winner of a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April, the gelding has switched stables since finishing well beaten in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown but can return to winning ways here. Katy Walsh is in the saddle again on Johnny McGeeney, whom she partnered into third in a similar contest over C&D two weeks ago. A winner of a 2m handicap and also successful over hurdles, the six-year-old won't be far away again. Clarach was second in a handicap hurdle at Gowran on her most recent start and also warrants a second look in a race in which few can be given a realistic chance of landing the spoils.
Hide The Evidence (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Dwelt, soon prominent, pushed along over 4f out, 3rd before straight, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Gra Geal Mo Chroi (9-4) at Sligo 1m 2f clm stks sft.
Johnny McGeeney (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Towards rear, 10th halfway, some headway to go 5th early straight, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Tornedo Shay (11-0) at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gd.
Sacre Malta (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, moderate 6th approaching 5 out, weakened from before next, completely tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Missgiloney (10-8) at Limerick 2m 3f 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Sargent Foaley (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Chased leaders in 4th, no extra after halfway, weakened, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Shabra Charity (10-8) at Down Royal 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) gd.
Slayer 100-1 (9-4) Prominent, reminder over 9f out, ridden 7f out, weakened quickly over 5f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Bold Adventure (9-8) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr '10.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Held up in rear, some headway on outer 4f out, driven along and no impression approaching straight, no threat from over 2f out, 11th of 15, 31l behind Lovethehigherlaw (12-0) at Punchestown 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in May.
The Fighter (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, struggling from halfway, 13th of 14, well behind Ut Love (10-4) at Tipperary 2m 4yo nhf gd.
The Shizz (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Slowly away and always behind, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Tornedo Shay (11-0) at Leopardstown 1m 6f amat mdn stks gd.
Warning Sound 50-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, last of 10, 27l behind Perfect Symmetry (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f mdn stks gd in Jun '09.
Waterloo Sunrise (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, lost place under 5f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 8th of 9, 16l behind The Last Don (10-7) at Listowel 1m 6f stks.
Clarach (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Tracked leaders, close 4th 3 out, ridden in close 3rd entering straight, 2nd before last, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bachelor Affair (9-13) at Gowran Park 2m hcp hdl gf.
Foildearg (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Soon led, joined approaching straight, soon headed and no extra, 11th of 21, 27l behind Burn And Turn (10-9) at Punchestown 2m N H flat gs in May.
