settled 3rd, keen hold early, headway in 2nd entering straight, closed on leader 3f out, challenged 1f out, ridden inside final furlong and no extra in 2nd closing stages
settled moderate 4th, closer in 3rd 3f out, challenged under 1f out, nursed through to lead final 150 yards, cosily
led and soon well clear, reduced advantage 3f out, ridden and challenged 1f out, headed final 150 yards and no extra, kept on same pace
chased leaders in moderate 2nd, ridden and no extra 4f out, 4th and weakened from 3f out
Noel Meade has won this five times in the past eight years so ELIGIBLE looks the one to be on. A recruit from Tim Vaughan's yard, he had a couple of runs late last year and showed enough promise to suggest he'll win his share for new connections. Blackmail made all for a comfortable victory between the flags at Templemore and Tony Martin should have him primed for his racecourse debut and Minella Minstrel didn't enjoy the heavy ground at Naas last month. Champagne James, a full brother to two winning bumpers and related to a Flat winner, is definitely one to keep a close watch in the betting as he could be useful.
De Glebe Star (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Rr of mid-div, no extra from 4out, pu 2out, in a race won by Rapid Warrior (12-0) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp hvy in Oct, 13 ran.
Blackmail (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Made all, chall briefly 2out, qcknd well from last, progessive, won at Templemore 3m ire ptp gf in Apr beating Clondaw Flicka (11-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Champagne James (IRE) Stowaway gelding out of Champagne Lady.
Eligible (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division and keen, led after about 5f, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 11l behind Chancery (10-12) at Haydock 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gs in Nov '11.
King Shabra (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Soon chased leaders at ordinary pace, 6th 4f out, no extra and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 14th of 18, well behind Gilt Shadow (11-8) at Down Royal 2m N H flat gs.
Minella Minstrel (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 4th 5f out, no impression from 3f out, 6th of 13, 30l behind Road To Riches (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat hvy in Oct.
