held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, disputed lead before next, slight advantage when mistake last, kept on under pressure run-in, 3rd and no impression when slightly hampered close home
mid-division, 7th 4 out, smooth headway to dispute lead approaching 2 out, narrowly headed when not fluent last, led again run-in, headed and no extra inside final 100 yards
led, headed after 3 out and soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway into 5th 4 out, 3rd when mistake 3 out, no extra from next
tracked leaders on inner, 4th 4 out, not clear run from next and dropped to 7th 2 out, headway under pressure into 3rd approaching last, stayed on well to lead inside final 100 yards, edged right close home
mid-division on outer when slipped up after 5 out
mid-division on inner, headway into 4th after 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
always towards rear, badly hampered after 5 out and soon pulled up
chased leaders, 6th 4 out, 3rd and driven along entering straight, 4th and no impression before last, kept on one pace
always behind
mid-division, headway into 4th halfway, 2nd 4 out, no extra and dropped to 6th after 2 out
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd before halfway, no extra and weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
Luska Lad was promoted to second in the Champion Bumper here a year ago and has done brilliantly well over hurdles. His never-say-die attitude will always make him difficult to beat and his victory over Blackstairmountain at Fairyhouse could hardly have been better advertised. However, he is undoubtedly better on ground with plenty of give and faces top-drawer opposition here in DUKE OF LUCCA, Reve De Sivola and Fionnegas. The former pair have both finished close up behind the outstanding Pedlars Cross in recent weeks, Philip Hobbs' lightly-raced and very progressive charge at Aintree and Nick Williams' gelding at Cheltenham. The pair look certain to be involved in the finish while Fionnegas found three miles stretching his stamina at Cheltenham after finishing a close though well beaten runner-up to Dunguib at Leopardstown.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, making headway when hampered 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Peddlers Cross (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Fionnegas (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chasing leaders next, beaten 4th and one pace when hampered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Berties Dream (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 19 ran.
Luska Lad (IRE) 11-10fav (11-10) Led, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, rallied well run-in to lead again close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 hvy beating Blackstairmountain (11-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Quantitativeeasing (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Keen early, tracked leaders, effort and every chance on outside 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last, 5th of 28, 9l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, went 2nd after 4 out, challenged when left in lead 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, kept on flat, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Seeability (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Raced wide, led from 3rd, not fluent 7th, ridden and strongly pressed after 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Boulavogue (11-10) at Fairyhouse 3m hdl hvy.
Some Present (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Behind, some headway after 3 out, never near leaders, 8th of 17, 26l behind Peddlers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Start Me Up (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, dropped to 6th before 3 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 7, 23l behind Luska Lad (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 hvy.
Stonemaster (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and progress after 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well under pressure, won at Limerick 2m 4f nh nov hdl sft beating Kusadasi (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Warne (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in 6th, rear halfway, 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 7, 24l behind Luska Lad (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 hvy.
Whodoyouthink (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) In touch in rear, 6th and ridden after 3 out, 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Magnanimity (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f nov hdl G2 hvy.
Premier Victory (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leader, pecked slighty 5th, mistake next, blundered 2 out, rider dropped whip soon after, lost 2nd before last, weakened flat, 4th of 14, 16l behind Wayward Prince (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd.
