tracked leader in 2nd, ridden after 3 out, dropped to 3rd next, soon no impression in moderate 3rd
held up in last, headway into 3rd 3 out, ridden and went 2nd next, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and dropped to last 3 out, no impression and trailing from next
led and clear early, ridden and strongly pressed after 2 out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
With all four of these having won last time out punters face no easy task. Credo Star battled on strongly to score over the minimum trip at Wexford but has plenty of stamina in her pedigree and the extra shouldn't be a problem. Poetic Lord stepped up to 2m2f last time, also at Wexford, and stayed on strongly to beat a couple of much better fancied rivals under tonight's conditional rider, whose claim will aid his cause again. Speed Demon showed that stamina is his forte with a battling success over three miles at Cork last month. Further rain would be a help as will the 3lb he receives from I KNEW WELL though it's Tom Taaffe's charge, who had finished runner-up four times in succession before his two recent victories, who is given the nod to complete a hat-trick.
I Knew Well (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led and disputed early, joined before 4 out, led again 3 out, stayed on well run-in,, won at Tipperary 2m nov hdl 0-116 gd in Apr beating Shabra's Bertolini (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Credo Star (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, bad mistake 1st and lost position, rear of mid-division when not fluent 2nd and 4th, moderate 12th 4 out, soon pushed along, headway after 3 out, improved into 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Wexford 2m mdn hdl gd in Apr beating The Nutcracker (10-11) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Poetic Lord 8-1 (11-5) Held up behind leaders in 5th, slight mistake 6th, headway into 2nd after 3 out, ridden along when rider dropped whip entering straight, not fluent 2 out and led, jumped right at last, kept on well under hands and heels run-in, won at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Teoleena (10-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Speed Demon (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Slight mistake 1st, chased leaders, 4th from 4 out, pushed along to be prominent on outer into straight, on terms 3 out, led approaching next, pressed last, edged slightly right and kept on well run-in, just held on,, won at Cork 3m mdn hdl in Apr beating Bridies Boy (11-12) by ns, 12 ran.
