rear of mid-division best, dropped behind from over 6f out, tailed off
prominent, keen hold early, 3rd 4f out, moderate 2nd under pressure over 1f out, dropped to 3rd again and kept on inside final furlong
slowly away, soon rear of mid-division, moderate 7th 4f out, moderate 6th 3f out, no extra from under 2f out
soon chased leaders, moderate 8th 4f out, kept on without threatening under pressure from under 2f out
soon led, headed 4f out, no extra from under 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along after 6f out, dropped behind 5f out, tailed off
slowly away, towards rear, moderate 9th 4f out, moderate 7th 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out
soon mid-division, moderate 5th 4f out, 3rd under pressure and closed from 1f out, stayed on well final to lead to lead closing stages
chased leaders, closed to lead 4f out, ridden clear under 2f out, reduced lead under 1f out, kept on, headed closing stages
chased leaders, moderate 4th for much, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out
towards rear, moderate 9th 4f out, kept on without threatening under pressure from under 2f out
Useful chaser Montero has won a bumper but hasn't been successful in any sphere for almost two years. Long Strand won a Thurles chase in March but has pulled up in the Scottish and Irish Nationals subsequently. Native Palm has shown a little promise over timber though not as much as Benefit Of Porter and Apt Manor. The former had her first run since September when a close third at Downpatrick last month while Willie Mullins' mare, who landed a maiden at Galway in October, is another who has a recent effort over timber behind her. MISTER MUSIC MAN has been in fine form in bumpers and his easy success at Downpatrick a couple of weeks ago points to his chances here.
Jeune D'Esprit (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 17th of 22, well behind Bullock Harbour (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 1f N H flat gf in May '10.
Long Strand (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, 3rd and outpaced 2f out, kept on again inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind The Bull Hayes (9-7) at Tipperary 1m 6f stks in Apr '10.
Mister Music Man (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 5f out, improved in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f N H flat gf in May beating Uncle Jacko (11-7) by 7l, 9 ran.
Montero (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Soon tracked leaders, close 2nd halfway, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, soon lost place, 6th and no extra from 2f out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Don Leone (9-4) at Killarney 1m 6f mdn stks gf in Jul.
Native Palm (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Soon mid-division, 5th 3 out, no impression under pressure approaching next, left 4th from last, 4th of 18, 10l behind Blackwell Synergy (11-4) at Tipperary 2m 5yo mdn hdl gf in May.
Rapid Fire 16-1 (12-0) Prominent, weakened quickly 6f out, soon behind, completely tailed off, last of 16, well behind Rourke's Cross (12-0) at Limerick 2m 5yo nhf gd in May.
Some Slam (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Towards rear, 7th approaching straight, 5th and challenged over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Porthaw (9-7) at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn stks gf in May.
Apt Manor (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mainly in 4th, pushed along in 2nd approaching 2 out, soon lost place and no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 12l behind Lend A Hand Son (11-12) at Sligo 2m nh nov hdl gf in May.
Benefit Of Porter (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leader in 2nd, led before 3 out, ridden and challenged last, soon headed, no extra run-in and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Leblon (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gf in May.
Shady Pines (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Soon chased leader, closed approaching 4 out, raced wide and led approaching 3 out, soon clear, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Sligo 2m mdn hdl sft in May beating Down Under (10-13) by 11l, 16 ran.
Simply Ravishing (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Dwelt, towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure straight, 6th of 11, 16l behind Porthaw (9-7) at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn stks gf in May.
