made all, went clear from 2f out, briefly niggled along 1f out, stayed on strongly, not extended
tracked leaders on inner, ridden 6f out, soon weakened quickly
mid-division, ridden in 6th 3f out, no impression
mid-division, headway into 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, no impression on winner 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, soon no impression
held up in touch in rear, progress from 5f out, ridden in moderate 3rd 2 1/2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner final furlong
held up towards rear and took keen hold, no impression from 4f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2 1/2f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one paced
rear of mid-division, ridden 4f out, moderate 5th 2 1/2f out, soon no impression
BALKO DES FLOS will be at very prohibitive odds and is impossible to oppose. He started odds-on for his debut at Leopardstown in January and, though the form hasn't worked out, he looked as though he would improve greatly for the run. Verona Opera followed a promising debut with a victory in a poor contest at Catterick then found Listed company too hot to handle at Aintree. This is more her grade while Woodford Island ran quite well in a Down Royal bumper at the beginning of this month. Rory's Valentine finished third of four at Limerick then a long way behind at Punchestown so will need to do much better.
Balko Des Flos (FR) 9-10fav (11-7) Made all, pushed along 2f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo NH flat sft in Jan beating Jett (11-4) by 3l, 8 ran.
Clancy Og (IRE) Sendawar gelding out of Rajayla.
Steamboat Bill (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, 17th early, headway from 4f out, chased leaders from 3f out, under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out, 6th of 20, 12l behind Okotoks (11-9) at Down Royal 2m NH flat.
Verona Opera (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) In rear, ridden over 4f out, never a factor, 15th of 19, well behind Hollies Pearl (10-11) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr.
Woodford Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, 6th early, under pressure 2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 20, 7l behind Okotoks (11-9) at Down Royal 2m NH flat.
Better Back Bracka (IRE) Flemensfirth filly out of Merrill Gaye.
Head Turner (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Held up, took keen hold, slightly impeded before halfway, 7th before straight, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 36l behind Babbling Stream (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4yo NH flat sft in Apr.
Rory's Valentine (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) Held up, 20th early, 16th before straight, soon no impression, 15th of 22, 24l behind Petit Mouchoir (11-4) at Punchestown 2m NH flat in Apr.
Stop Chatting (IRE) Kalanisi filly out of Ultimate Beat.
