held up in 4th, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along briefly 4 out, soon closer, ridden after 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden into 2nd entering straight, challenged 2 out, soon under pressure in 2nd, stayed on to press leader passing last, led run-in and kept on well closing stages
led, 5-length advantage early, reduced lead and slight mistake 5th, disputed 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out, weakened
chased leader in 2nd, disputed from 4 out, led after 3 out, pressed briefly 2 out, soon ridden and 2-length advantage, strongly pressed passing last, headed run-in and no extra closing stages
held up towards rear, behind from 5th, no impression from before 4 out, weakened and completely tailed off
held up towards rear, behind from 5th, fell 6th
Having won the Grade 1 JLT at Cheltenham in March, BLACK HERCULES has a penalty here and he's struggled at the highest level in two starts this term. He finished seven lengths behind Smashing John when the latter was runner-up at Leopardstown last month but the trip proved much too short and he should be ready to regain the winning thread. Sub Lieutenant also finished in front of him in the John Durkan at Punchestown though Henry De Bromhead's charge had the benefit of two earlier runs and may not be capable of confirming the form. Smashing won a Listed contest over slightly shorter here a year ago then landed a Grade 2 at Gowran. Both of those victories came on very heavy ground so further rain would greatly aid his cause.
Black Hercules (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closer order 6th but soon in rear, pushed along 3 out, no impression straight, kept on into 4th closing stages, 4th of 5, 17l behind Douvan (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sizing John 10-1 (11-12) In rear early, closer order to chase leaders 6th, under pressure from 2 out, chased winner run-in but no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Douvan (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Smashing (FR) 66-1 (11-10) Prominent, mistake 2nd, disputed from 7th, led before 10th, slight mistake 6 out, joined and disputed 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, weakened before last, 12th of 13, dist behind Outlander (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Led, joined 5 out, pushed along into straight, headed after 2 out and dropped to 3rd when not fluent last, kept on without matching 1st 2 run-in, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Djakadam (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Boxing Along (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, raced on inner and lost place after 6th, 8th at 8th, soon no danger, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Returntovendor (10-10) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Letter Of Credit (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear and in rear before 7 out, some progress into 7th after 3 out, ridden before next and soon went 5th, not fluent last and kept on without threatening into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Smokey Joe Joe (11-10) at Limerick 2m 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Dec.
