tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and headway between horses to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and 2 lengths clear early final furlong, reduced advantage close home
held up in rear, some headway on outer 2f out, ridden over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong
prominent and led after 2f, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon no extra and eased final furlong
rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along and no impression under 2f out, no extra
led, headed after 2f, remained prominent and led again over 2f out, pushed along and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra and eased final 100 yards
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out and no impression final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along under 2f out, 3rd and ridden over 1f out, 2nd and kept on inside final 150 yards
towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, 4th and pushed along over 1f out, soon short of room, switched right and kept on well final 100 yards, nearest at finish
awkward from stalls and towards rear early, ran freely and 8th halfway, ridden 2f out and 7th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along over 2f out and soon not clear run, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, nearest at finish
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
BLUES EMPEROR made an encouraging reappearance behind the prolific Dunum on soft ground at Limerick and there's no reason why he shouldn't be even better on quicker ground. Facethepuckout completed a double in the autumn but is now 16lb higher than his last winning mark. Independent Expert should go well though has been looking a few pounds high but Red Heel, who has changed stables, would have a definite chance if ready after a long break as she's only 2lb higher than when landing a Curragh handicap last summer.
Blues Emperor (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and disputed 2nd over 2f out, pressed leader 1f out, soon every chance, headed last 150 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Dunum (8-13) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Apr.
Belharra (FR) 17-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, 9th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Dunum (8-13) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Apr.
Flaming Moon (IRE) 18-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, 13th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Dunum (8-13) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Apr.
Laughifuwant (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Towards rear of mid-division, pushed along over 2f out and soon short of room, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 17th of 19, 11 1/2l behind Smooth Tom (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp Soft - Heavy in May.
Red Heel (IRE) 13-2 (9-13) Tracked leader, led after 1 1/2f, strongly pressed under 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, dropped to 4th final strides, 4th of 11, 1/2l behind Beautiful Sunshine (10-0) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp fll gd in Sep.
Comfort Line (IRE) 18-1 (10-2) Broke well and led briefly, soon tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Persian Queen (9-3) at Cork 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in May.
Plume Noire (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Dwelt slightly, soon in touch on outer, 5th halfway, under pressure in 4th inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 6l behind Coins Cross (9-4) at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Redstone Well (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Soon led, pushed along early straight, ridden and headed 1f out, 3rd and no impression inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Cold Steel (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Navagio (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, soon ridden and no extra over 1f out, 17th of 19, 16 1/4l behind Earls (8-11) at Cork 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in May.
Facethepuckout (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, progress on outer over 1f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, no threat, 3rd of 12, 5 3/4l behind Chazzesmee (9-3) at Naas 7f hcp hvy in Mar.
Rick Dalton (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Disputed, headed after 2f, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, soon pressed leader, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 8th of 16, 3 3/4l behind Any Dream Will Do (9-8) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Apr.
Independent Expert (IRE) 13-2 (9-13) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and went 3rd 1 1/2f out, soon edged right, kept on well inside final 150 yards, 3rd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Shimmerz (8-7) at Curragh 7f hcp sft in May.
Ms Eagleton (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, no impression, 10th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Miramis (9-4) at Punchestown 1m 1f hcp fll Good - Yielding in Sep.
Crystal Black (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division and raced keenly, pushed along from 2f out, short of room over 1f out and soon dropped towards rear, some modest late headway closing stages, 9th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Joe Masseria (9-11) at Cork 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.
