disputed lead, slight mistake 2nd, still disputing and every chance when fell 2 out
held up, jumped slightly left 1st, not fluent 2nd, last after 4th, 6th approaching straight, no impression when slightly impeded 2 out, one pace
held up in touch, 6th after 4th, 5th approaching straight, soon pushed along and not much room, switched right before 3 out, soon edged left, led between last 2, stayed on well under pressure run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd after 4th, bumped after 3 out, no impression when slightly impeded next, one pace
tracked leaders, 4th after 4th, challenging and slighly impeded 2 out, no extra in 3rd run-in, one pace
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, 5th after 4th, dropped to last from 4 out, detached approaching straight, no impression when slightly impeded 2 out, one pace
disputed lead, edged left briefly after 2 out, soon headed, kept on well under pressure run-in without matching winner
MARTELLO TOWER has only been beaten once in six starts, when finding a slow pace against him at Naas in March. He's shown himself much better with a stiffer test of stamina and can complete a four-timer despite a penalty for his recent Grade 3 victory at Cork. Free Expression scored between the flags then won a bumper before remaining unbeaten with a very smooth victory over hurdles at Naas. He's a smart prospect and stepping up to this trip should do him no harm. Sang Tiger couldn't cope with Hash Brown in a Grade 3 at Limerick and Fort Smith occupied the same spot at that level behind McKinley at Navan so both need to step up on that form. Kauto Grand Mogul was less than a length behind the selection in a bumper in April but was receiving 7lb. He may not be up to reversing the form but won impressively on his hurdling debut at Limerick and there's plenty more to come.
Martello Tower (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Raced in 2nd, on terms from 7th, led before 6 out, joined approaching straight, led again from 2 out, pressed and stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft beating Ask Vic (10-13) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Fort Smith (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Raced mainly in 3rd, ridden in 4th after 2 out and improved into 2nd before next, kept on run-in without matching winner, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Mckinley (11-2) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Free Expression (IRE) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, on terms 2 out, soon led, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Naas 2m mdn hdl sft beating On Impulse (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 25 ran.
Kauto Grand Mogol (FR) 11-8 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd after 4th, led after 6th, slight mistake 5 out, asserted straight, slight mistake 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl beating Wexford Bridge (10-11) by 8l, 14 ran.
Rock The World (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Led early, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 3 out, asserted after 2 out, kept on well, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl beating Velvet Maker (11-12) by 5l, 16 ran.
Sang Tiger (GER) 11-4 (11-5) Held up in 3rd, disputed 3rd from 6 out, slight mistake 5 out, ridden entering straight, led before 2 out, challenged 2 out, narrowly headed before last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Hash Brown (11-5) at Limerick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Prominent and disputed lead, slight mistake 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on under pressure, no impression on winner final 75 yards, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Wood Breizh (10-13) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl in Oct.
