raced in 3rd, pushed along under 4f out, chased winner in 2nd from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but not reach winner
led, pressed from before straight and joined, soon headed, dropped to 4th from 2f out, 5th over 1f out, one pace
dwelt, in rear, moderate 5th approaching straight and pushed along, went 4th over 1f out and no impression, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, on terms from before straight, soon led, pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, soon disputed 4th, pushed along approaching straight, under pressure on outer in 3rd 2f out, no impression and one pace inside final furlong
held up, soon disputed 4th, pushed along over 4f out, soon under pressure, dropped to last approaching straight, soon no extra, eased over 1f out, tailed off
Ancient Sands was attempting to concede Putin 11lb when beaten at Dundalk on his hat-trick attempt and is obviously in very good heart at present. But SHAMAR (NAP), a winner at Galway last summer, is 2lb lower than when runner-up in a premier handicap at Limerick in September and a recent run at Dundalk will have put him straight so he can get back to winning ways. Curley Bill was in cracking form when last seen, though that was back in 2013, while Lady Giselle hasn't won for two years and has yet to prove she stays this far. Pivot Bridge is back on his last winning mark though that was on Polytrack while Lake Shore Drive has been in very poor form over timber.
Ancient Sands (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, soon 6th, kept on final furlong to go 2nd on line without troubling winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Poitin (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Apr.
Shamar (FR) 33-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Carried (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Curley Bill (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-5) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 8, 9 1/4l behind King of The Picts (10-11) at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct.
Lady Giselle (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, closer approaching straight, ridden and no extra in 4th over 1f out, weakened, 6th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Oiche Mhaith Boy (8-11) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp hvy in Apr.
Pivot Bridge 9-2 (11-2) Held up, closed on outer after 3 out, pushed along in 3rd into straight, challenged from before 2 out, still every chance when fell last, at Wexford 2m 4f sft in Mar.
Lake Shore Drive (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, no extra after 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind Maighnealta (11-2) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
