soon led at fast pace, ridden 2 out, soon headed, kept on one paced straight
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out
disputed lead early, headed when mistake 3rd, ridden from 4 out, soon weakened
rear of mid-division, closer into 9th 4 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no extra
reminders early and always under pressure in rear, some modest late headway from 2 out
tracked leaders, 6th 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out, eased before last
mid-division, 9th halfway, no impression from 3 out
in rear, some headway from 3 out, kept on without threatening from next
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out
in rear, headway from 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, kept on to go 3rd from last
mid-division, 10th 4 out, ridden and no impression after next
always behind, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, ridden to lead before last, soon strongly pressed, kept on well run-in
mid-division, 11th halfway, ridden from 3 out, kept on one paced
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened from 4 out, behind from 2 out
tracked leaders, 8th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
rear of mid-division on inner, headway from 3 out, close 5th on outer entering straight, ridden in close 2nd before last, kept on well to strongly press winner to line
prominent, mistake 5th, 3rd 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
always prominent, disputed lead briefly travelling well after 2 out, soon ridden and dropped to 3rd, 4th from last
Willie Mullins is making a big effort to take this with three entries but it's NEAREST THE PIN that catches the eye from the bottom of the handicap. Tony Martin's charge has progressed with every run and was making his handicap debut when an impressive winner at Fairyhouse. He was raised 12lb for that victory and though 1lb out of the weights here looks set to follow up. Wee Giant could prove the pick of the Mullins trio as he was having his first start since December when placed at Ballinrobe last week. Salesin didn't do as well as expected over fences but has reverted to hurdles in brilliant form and attempts a hat-trick after victories at Wexford and Cork. He's shot up the weights as a consequence but should still give a good account as should Whodoyouthink, back over a more suitable trip after failing to stay much further in strong events at Aintree and Fairyhouse. Total Excitement has been running well without much luck and though he doesn't win often enough should still be thereabouts.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Jumped well, made all, clear after 2nd until 5th, ridden last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Sandown 2m Listed hdl (1) gd in Apr beating Clerk's Choice (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, went 3rd briefly 4 out, ridden and no extra approaching 2 out, weakened, 7th of 10, 22l behind Voler La Vedette (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Salesin 4-1fav (11-5) Led, pushed along approaching straight, joined 2 out, stayed on best under pressure to assert from after last, won at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr beating Glam Gerry (10-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear on inside, blundered 3rd and next, outpaced when not much room bend after 2 out, soon weakened, 21st of 26, 27l behind Final Approach (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led, strongly pressed approaching 3 out, headed entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 12th of 16, 31l behind Marlay Park (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Dreamy Gent (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd entering straight, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Jack Cool (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Cheshire Prince 25-1 (10-1) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Alarazi (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Eagle's Pass (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, no extra fter 3 out, eased when beaten in straight, last of 13, well behind Prima Vista (10-0) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 in Dec.
Praxiteles (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Prominent, close 3rd 3 out, weakened last, 14th of 21, 37l behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Total Excitement (IRE) 40-1 (9-13) Held up, mid-division when hit 3rd, headway after 6th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 21, 18l behind Far Away So Close (9-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Wee Giant (USA) 9-4 (11-12) Soon raced in moderate 3rd, closed from 2 out, no impression under pressure in 4th from before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind False Economy (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hdl gd in Apr.
Henro Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, good headway after 2 out, challenged between horses at last, ridden and kept on run-in, not match winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Canaly (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f hdl in Mar.
Johnny McGeeney (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Raced in 4th, not fluent and no extra under pressure from 2 out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Ruler Of All (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) sft in Mar.
Vital Plot (USA) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, improved into 4th 4 out, closer order next, mistake 2 out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Salesin (11-9) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Apr.
Lilywhitedancer (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 33l behind Jack Cool (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gd in Apr.
Regal D'estruval (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Soon led and well clear, reduced lead 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened straight, 9th of 13, 41l behind Steeltown (11-12) at Roscommon 2m nov hdl in Sep.
Nearest The Pin (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Rear of mid-division, headway in 6th entering straight, close 4th 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Apr beating Princeton Plains (10-11) by 4l, 16 ran.
Style Of Campile (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led, strongly pressed approaching straight, soon headed, no extra and weakened from 2 out, 7th of 18, 31l behind Belle Brook (10-13) at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl in Jan.
Lightening Sky (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led until 1st, with leader, led after 4th, mistakes 5th and 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Joker Choker (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Benash (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th when fell 4 out, in a race won by Good Time Donie (10-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Silver Friend 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, 10th halfway, 8th 3 out, ridden next, 4th and kept on from last, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Peak Raider (9-3) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 hvy in Feb.
