led, headed from 3 out, slight mistake 2 out, dropped to 3rd between last 2, pressed for 3rd run-in, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, led from 3 out travelling smoothly, ridden and stayed on well run-in, reduced lead close home
chased leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 5th, closer order 9th, slight mistake 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, kept on well without reaching winner run-in
in rear, took somewhat closer order 9th, pushed along and no impression 3 out, closed to press for 3rd run-in, one pace
Call The Taxie has gone close the last twice in handicaps having started the season over fences. But along with Jaime Sommers, tailed off at Cork only three days ago, is rated 20lb inferior to DIAMOND KING. Badly hampered and pulled up in last week’s Coral Cup at Cheltenham, Gordon Elliott’s 10-year-old had been a fair third at Punchestown on his reappearance earlier and should have too much class for these. Smokey Joe Joe has had a decent strike-rate down the years but the veteran faces a near-impossible task at the weights while the less-exposed Moonshine Bay was reportedly coughing after being pulled up last month at Clonmel.
Call The Taxie (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Close up, soon 2nd, on terms 11th travelling smoothly, led 2 out, ridden and joined straight, slight mistake last, led again run-in, headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Kilfenora (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Diamond King (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up behind when badly hampered 2nd, not recover and pulled up quickly soon after, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Smokey Joe Joe (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway on inner to go 2nd entering straight, led approaching last, ridden run-in and headed inside final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Graineyhill (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Jaime Sommers (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In rear, detached approaching 4th, pushed along from 4 out and well behind, last of 4, dist behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-2) at Cork 2m Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Moonshine Bay (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up early, chased leaders from 2nd, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, weakened quickly and soon pulled up, at Clonmel 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
