attempted to make all, niggled along from 4f out, strongly pressed and headed 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders, forced wide on bend from 2f out, kept on under pressure without getting to leaders inside final furlong
towards rear, closer in 6th from 3f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong without getting to 1st 2
always towards rear, struggling from over 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along in 5th from 4f out, struggling when not much room and kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon prominent, no extra under pressure from 1f out
held up rear of mid-division, closer in 5th from 3f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, not quite get to winner
towards rear, under pressure from 6f out, no extra from over 2f out
Golan Go gained his first success on the Flat over this trip at Wexford and runner-up Beliar runs in the previous race. A 7lb rise makes it slightly more difficult but this is another moderate event. Grand Cru gained the first victory of his career when touching off Sounds Of Thunder at Wexford and though 6lb higher will make a bold bid to double his tally. ACTION MASTER has only run three times on the Flat but arrives here in good heart having scored over timber at Punchestown last week. He is on a very lowly mark here and Seamie Heffernan is an eye-catching booking. Ghareer has also been in very good form over hurdles and looks the main threat in a race that won't take much winning.
A Hit Is A Hit (FR) 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, no impression straight, 12th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Dazzle Dancer (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Golan Go (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Soon mid-division, progress under pressure from 2f out, soon 4th, 2nd 1f out, led and stayed on best inside final furlong, won at Wexford 1m 6f hcp 47-65 gf in May beating Beliar (8-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Striking Force (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 15th of 16, 31l behind Bondage (9-10) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f Handicap (47-70) (4yo+) in May.
The Buck (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Keen in touch, headway to track leader over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased, 10th of 12, 35l behind Coda Agency (9-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Grand Cru 10-1 (9-1) Soon chased leaders, good progress over 4f out, 2nd over 2f out, ran on best final furlong to lead near finish, won at Wexford 1m 6f hcp 47-65 gf in May beating Sounds Of Thunder (9-9) by hd, 15 ran.
Action Master 50-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 14th of 23, 17l behind Crimson Sky (9-5) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo mdn gs in Oct '09.
Not My Idea (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, closed into 5th over 2f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 7l behind Grand Cru (9-1) at Wexford 1m 6f hcp 47-65 gf in May.
Whitehead Lad (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Prominent, 4th approaching straight, soon no extra, 16th of 18, 32l behind Ballochroy (9-13) at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-65 gd in Apr.
Wild And Innocent (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Very slowly into stride, always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 14, 41l behind Belle Chose (8-10) at Wexford 1m 4f 3yo hcp 47-65 in Jul '09.
Ghareer (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, some progress 4f out, 8th into straight, no extra when eased inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 18l behind Driveheron (9-6) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp 47-65 in Sep.