held up towards rear early, 5th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, pushed along into 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 2nd from 4th, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra and kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5th, pushed along in 5th 3 out, ridden and no extra before straight
chased leaders early, soon held up, 6th halfway, ridden in rear 3 out, soon no impression
chased leader early, 4th halfway, 3rd before 4 out, 2nd entering straight, ridden 2 out, under pressure in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
made all, ridden after 2 out, kept on well under pressure run-in
This has been won by some cracking good hurdlers and should be again with a strong line-up on view. Having beaten Zaidpour in a Grade 2 at Gowran in February, So Young is the obvious class act in the line-up but he'll be facing fast going for the first time in his career and isn't certain to be suited. His stablemate Midnight Game is also unraced on ground this quick but at least will be fit enough after a run on the level at Down Royal last month. Shadow Eile has won a couple of races on good going while Fosters Cross defied his advancing years with a comfortable success on fast ground at Leopardstown last week. STEPS TO FREEDOM has been running over fences and finished runner-up at Killarney on Wednesday. He won't mind the conditions and his basic Flat speed may be enough to see him home.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along into 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression winner approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Sizing Italy (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gf.
Midnight Game 50-1 (11-12) Always rear, ridden and no impression 2 out, no threat in straight, last of 6, 34l behind Hurricane Fly (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Ted Dolly (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Waited with in rear, progress to track leaders on inner approaching straight, soon not much room, 2nd 2 out, 3rd and no extra last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Knockcroghery (10-11) at Limerick 2m hdl 0-123 gf.
Shadow Eile (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Raced 4th of the 5, ridden in pursuit of winner and not getting there in 2nd at last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Glens Melody (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f mares hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Aughnacurraveel (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, 5th next, no impression under pressure in 4th when not fluent last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Knockcroghery (10-11) at Limerick 2m hdl 0-123 gf.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden in 8th 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 7l behind Il Fenomeno (10-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr.
Silk Hall (UAE) 6-1 (11-6) Soon towards rear, niggled along 4th, sprawled on landing and no extra 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Shadow Catcher (11-6) at Down Royal 2m hdl gf in Jun.
So Young (FR) 16-1 (10-3) 9th of 18, 6l behind Celestial Halo (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 5f Grd 2 hdl (1) sft in May.
