settled behind leaders, improved into moderate 3rd at 7th, closer 6 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out, challenged before last, disputed from last, no extra in 2nd closing stages
chased leader, slow 6th and lost a few places, 5th and slight mistake next, mistake 10th, slight mistake next and soon pulled up
led and clear, reduced advantage 6 out, headed after 3 out, ridden and no extra in 5th when bad mistake 2 out, soon pulled up
settled mid-division early, moderate 4th at 7th, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden 2 out, strongly pressed before last, headed last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on same pace
mid-division early, lost place and towards rear from 7th, slight mistake 5 out and ridden, no impression from next, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, stayed on into 4th 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, kept on one pace
chased leader, slightly slow 1st, reminder 2nd, moderate 2nd halfway, closer 6 out, slight mistake 4 out, soon lost place, ridden in 5th after next, no extra before 2 out
settled mid-division, 6th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, closer in 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, mistake 2 out, stayed on to challenge before last, disputed from last, asserted closing stages
Top Of The Town is making his chasing debut late in life but proved himself a fair staying handicapper over hurdles last summer with a double and a fine run at Cheltenham in October. He likes the ground and has to be on the shortlist. Crest has run eight times over fences and finished in a place in five of them. He made a few too many mistakes at Fairyhouse last time but still did well enough to be considered for this. Winning point-to-pointer and dual hurdles winner GO IT ALONE made a promising start over the bigger obstacles at Limerick where he was racing over a trip much too short. This should be more to his liking and though he's never encountered ground this quick there's no reason why he shouldn't be suited. Mannin Island showed nothing over hurdles but produced a much improved effort on his chasing debut at Limerick and has to be respected.
Baily Moon (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leader, 3rd when fell 4 out, at Cork 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Crest 5-1jfav (11-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 5th and slight mistake at 8th, slight mistake 5 out, ridden into 3rd entering straight, 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 10 3/4l behind Killaro Boy (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
First Crusade (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Ld & keen, sn 20l clr, 35l adv 1/2way, stil clr 3out, rdcd adv 2out, tired bef last, just held on, won at Stradbally 3m mdn gf in Apr beating B C's Pride (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Go It Alone (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Settled 4th, 3rd at 3rd, led after 4th, headed 3 out, ridden approaching straight, 3rd 2 out, no impression on leader, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 15 3/4l behind Double Scores (11-12) at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Mar.
Joxer (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left at 6th and 7th, 5th 4 out, ridden and no impression straight, 5th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Potters Point (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m Good - Yielding in Apr.
Mannin Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden in moderate 8th 3 out, stayed on and closer in 5th entering straight, kept on into 2nd and mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 6 1/2l behind Tikkanen Express (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f sft in Apr.
Red Giant (IRE) 18-1 (9-13) Towards rear, not fluent 7th and pushed along next, last at 10th, soon no danger, pulled up before 5 out, at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Top Of The Town (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Held up, rear of mid-division, headway from 2 out, hung left flat, no impression on leaders towards finish, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Golden Doyen (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
