tracked leaders, led at bypassed 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened
led until broke leg and pulled up after 4th
held up, smooth headway to lead before 2 out, headed last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
in touch, outpaced before 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on, no impression with leading pair
held up, outpaced when hit 4 out, no impression after
in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened
held up, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, driven 2 out, led last, ridden and kept on well flat
with leader, left in lead after 4th, headed at bypassed 3 out, weakened from next
A really competitive contest in store here where you can find faults in all of the leading contenders and we find the chances of CURAHEE the most appealing in preference to Singing Wizard and So Billiant. The pick is racing off a mark 10lbs above his last winning rating, which came two starts ago against some decent sorts. He showed he should handle his current burden with a decent placed effort two weeks ago and the drop into this class is a definite plus. Singing Wizard also looks to have plenty to do under his current burden over this longer trip but is in obvious good heart and as a result should be in the shake up. So Billiant is up 10lbs after a neck victory in his native Ireland last time and that looks a harsh rise while Prince Balthasar has the talent to win at this level but is too inconsistent to trust with the hard earned. Cases could be made for several of the others but for the selection we side with Curahee.
Mighty Massini (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to lead 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 4th before 2 out, stayed on to 3rd last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Persian City (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 6f hdl gd.
Singing Wizard 13-2 (11-5) Hung right, with winner, lost 2nd 4th, lost place 8th, soon adrift, stayed on from 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, took 2nd post, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mayor Of Kilcock (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
So Billiant (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, 3rd before straight, challenged in 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead before next, strongly pressed run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Cork 3m hcp hdl 0-102 gd in Mar beating Skip Two (11-9) by nk, 23 ran.
Currahee 6-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hit 4th, ridden and chased leaders approaching 2 out, every chance last, kept on one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Political Paddy (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Lily Tara 9-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 23l behind C'monthehammers (10-12) at Perth 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Solway Bee 14-1 (9-10) Soon behind, struggling halfway, rallied approaching 3 out, kept on from next, never near leaders, 4th of 11, 12l behind Elzahann (10-11) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Robbie Dye 40-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Mr Woods (11-5) at Perth 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Tarkani (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) 5th of 10, 21l behind Lemons Legend (9-11) at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp hdl gf in Jun.
Prince Balthasar (USA) 10-1 (10-10) In touch, headway from approaching 4 out to lead 3 out, soon ridden, driven clear run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov '07 beating Spirit Calling (11-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Ushers Island (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 16th of 27, well behind Lisabbey Lord (10-2) at Navan 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-109 sft in Mar.
