tracked leaders, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon no impression
always towards rear, some modest progress halfway, under pressure 7th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, never a factor
held up towards rear, good headway from 3 out, close 4th on outer when bad mistake 2 out, soon ridden, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division, 7th 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
rear of mid-division, some progress entering straight, ridden in 8th 3 out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, progress after 4 out, moderate 12th next, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out
rear of mid-division, ridden along 4 out, 11th 3 out, kept on same pace from next
mid-division, ridden in 10th 3 out, weakened
mid-division, progress from 4 out, ridden in 4th next, weakened from next
tracked leaders, improved into close 2nd 3 out, ridden from next, progress to lead narrowly inside final furlong, kept on well, headed at line
held up in rear, last at 5th, good headway on outer after 4 out, led travelling well 3 out, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed and narrowly headed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home to lead on line
tracked leaders, no impression after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden entering straight, 9th 3 out, no impression
disputed lead, led briefly entering straight, ridden and headed 3 out, no impression from next
disputed lead, ridden 4 out,headed entering straight, weakened quickly
tracked leaders on inner, pushed along 6th, weakened from 3 out
HARD BOUGHT enters the fray in good form having scored at Gowran and a 5lb rise doesn't look excessive so Brian O'Connell can steer him home again. The veteran Marshim showed there's still plenty of life left in him when scoring over fences at Thurles last time and he's still well enough treated over timber to make his presence felt. Annie Alainn found 2m6f stretching her stamina at Thurles last week after scoring over half-a-mile shorter at Downpatrick but Mr Shankly is much more of a staying type and his best runs over timber have been over three miles on testing ground. Gordon Elliott found Akorakor a moderate race at Downpatrick and he duly obliged with the minimum of fuss. He may turn out to be much better than these and he's an obvious threat despite his big weight. Duty Dance is best when the mud is flying so further rain would enhance her prospects.
Akorakor (FR) 4-9fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2 out and led before last, asserted early run-in and kept on well, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mdn hdl beating Mystic Princess (10-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Roman General (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, no impression from 2 out, eased after last, 13th of 15, 15l behind The Game Changer (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Let's Celebrate (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders early, soon held up, ridden and no impression before straight, 7th of 9, 50l behind Brand Ambassador (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens30 in Oct.
Tipped Up Harry 8-1 (11-7) Towards rear, ridden and some progress after 4 out, moderate 11th 3 out, no impression from next, 9th of 18, 19l behind Hard Bought (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Hard Bought (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always prominent, improved to lead entering straight, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in, reduced advantage close home, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 sft beating The Mad Well (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 18 ran.
Theturnofthesun (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 7th from 3rd where slight mistake, 5th approaching straight, no impression from 3 out, 7th of 19, 24l behind Wildebeest (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy.
Marshim (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, 5th from 7th, went moderate 3rd at 10th, not fluent 4 out, closed 2 out, soon 2nd, led between last 2, stayed on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f beg chase beating Deano (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tearaway Queen (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 7th from 6th, 8th 3 out, moderate 5th approaching straight, one pace, 5th of 11, 11l behind Kilford (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl sft.
Best Of Three 9-4fav (11-1) Chased leaders, 3rd 2 out, no impression straight, 5th of 16, 15l behind Kentucky Star (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 in Feb.
Ssuferin Ssocotage (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, 4th briefly entering straight, soon no extra and moderate 9th 2 out, weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Missyspet (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-109 in Jan, 17 ran.
Oscar Sam (IRE) 3-1fav (10-7) Soon mid-division, 9th from 2nd, briefly tight for room after 3rd and pushed along, dropped towards rear 5th, not fluent 6th, reminder after 7th, under pressure from 9th, no extra from before 3 out, eased straight and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by The Grey Guy (10-9) at Clonmel 3m hcp hdl 80-109 sft, 12 ran.
Duty Dance (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Slightly slow 1st, held up, hampered 3 out, 5th 2 out, soon no impression, no extra and eased from before last, 6th of 16, 21l behind Kentucky Star (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-109 in Feb.
Flemenstorm (IRE) 11-4fav (11-8) Held up, 12th at 8th, not fluent 10th, closed and not fluent 3 out, moderate 4th before straight, soon no extra, 4th of 17, 39l behind Change The Rules (10-12) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy.
Annie Alainn (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Led, a little keen, soon disputed, ridden approaching 3 out and headed, no extra and eased approaching straight, soon pulled up, in a race won by Drishogue Boy (11-3) at Thurles 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95, 15 ran.
Shesonlyahorse (IRE) 22-1 (10-8) Held up, slight mistake 1st, slightly slow 2nd, poor 9th at 5th, soon no danger, kept on without threatening straight, 4th of 10, 27l behind Occidental Lady (9-8) at Limerick 2m hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Se Beag (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Towards rear, never a factor, 13th halfway, moderate 8th 3 out, no impression next, no extra, 9th of 15, 49l behind Annie Alainn (10-6) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95.
Mr Shankly (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Soon mid-division, 10th at 8th, improved into moderate 3rd before straight, headway to chase leader 2 out, closed and kept on well without matching winner near finish, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Change The Rules (10-12) at Limerick 3m hcp hdl 80-95 hvy.
