in rear, hampered and bad mistake 1st, not fluent at 2nd, pushed along at 4th, pushed along 5 out, ridden and went 6th 3 out, kept on one pace
disputed lead early, headed 3rd, led from 7th, ridden and headed entering straight, moderate 9th and mistake 3 out, weakened
mid-division, took keen hold, closer in 3rd at 5th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before straight
disputed lead, slight mistake 1st, led from 3rd, headed 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened
towards rear, jumped right at 1st, closer in 5th and ridden 3 out, weakened
mid-division, headway into close 3rd on outer, 3 out, ridden to dispute lead briefly when mistake 2 out and soon headed, no extra in 3rd run-in
towards rear, ridden in 8th 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd on inner 3 out, ridden and disputed lead next, narrowly and briefly headed after last, disputed lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home
mid-division, headway into 4th and ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, improved to lead entering straight, ridden and joined 2 out, led narrowly and briefly after last, joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
The Big Chap showed a bit more dash at Tramore on his penultimate start and was well supported for his handicap debut at Limerick where he battled on over slightly shorter. He's up 8lb but his rider can claim most of that back and there's more to come though it's hard to get away from MOVING WATER (NAP) on his handicap bow. Dessie McDonagh's charge was having only his fifth start when scooting away with a Wexford maiden and a mark of 102 may be seriously underestimating his ability. Kells Priory probably needs some give in the ground while Cullaghs Star's only success came on heavy going. Staging Post won't mind the conditions but it's almost a year since he's run.
Merry Poppins (GER) 3-1fav (10-7) Rear of mid-division, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression next, 7th of 10, 17l behind Aldo The Apache (10-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Craic Eile (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along before 3 out, 7th and no impression before 2 out, soon ridden and kept on one pace to go moderate 4th on line, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Wild Shot (12-0) at Tramore 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
Cullaghs Star (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 25th of 26, dist behind The Greek (10-13) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Scalino (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Always rear, detached before halfway, no extra from 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Wild Shot (12-0) at Tramore 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
Basil's Boy (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Towards rear, fell 5th, at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp sft in May.
Kells Priory (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, disputed after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no extra, 7th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Kingston Retreat (11-11) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Union Park (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Towards rear, 8th 3 out, ridden in 6th when left 5th 2 out, kept on without threatening in 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 4l behind Alpha Male (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp gd in May.
Lady Iseult (IRE) 22-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake and unseated rider at 6th, at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Bear Claws (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened, 12th of 14, dist behind Father Jed (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp gd in May.
Eaton Lady (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 5 out, soon no extra, behind and op before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp gd in May.
Abraham (IRE) 28-1 (9-13) Mid-division on inner, pushed along in 6th 2f out, ridden in 5th and no impression on leaders 1f out, no extra, 6th of 13, 11 3/4l behind Vischio (9-13) at Gowran Park 1m 6f hcp Yielding in May.
Staging Post (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up, 7th halfway, progress into 4th 3 out, slight mistake 2 out and ridden, under pressure in 3rd and slight mistake last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 17 3/4l behind The Little Yank (11-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f gd in Jul.
The Big Chap (IRE) 10-3fav (12-0) Soon prominent, disputed 2nd, led after 4th, headed before 6th, close up again 5 out, soon disputed, led entering straight, ridden after 2 out, pressed last, kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f hcp gd in May beating Good Bye Milan (11-0) by 1l, 17 ran.
Moving Water (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd and not fluent 3 out, headway between horses to lead next, asserted before last, kept on well to draw clear run-in, won at Wexford 2m 4f mdn gd in May beating Ingenious Stroke (11-12) by 15l, 11 ran.
Oskar High (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Rear, soon slightly detached, detached after 3rd, weakened 3 out, never a factor, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Birdie Blitz (11-9) at Ballinrobe 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
