disputed lead, headed before 4th, 2nd to clear leader at 5th, took closer order at 6th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, weakened
in touch, mistake at 1st, 3rd behind clear leader after 5th, took closer order at 6th, slight mistake at 7th and lost place, closed after 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, pressed last, ridden and headed close home
rear of mid-division, not fluent at 2nd, 5th behind clear leader after 5th, headway at 6th, not fluent at 9th, 3rd before 2 out, stayed on to challenge leader last, ridden and led close home
rear, 7th after 7th, pecked at 10th, detached before 12th, mistake 4 out, weakened after 3 out, never a factor, completely tailed off
towards rear, 6th after 7th, detached before 12th, effort after 3 out, no impression in 5th 2 out, kept on one paced in 4th before last
mid-division, not fluent at 3rd, 4th behind clear leader after 5th, 3rd after 7th, dropped to 4th and no impression before 2 out, weakened before last
disputed lead, led before 4th, asserted before 5th, reduced lead at 6th, slight mistake 4 out, headed after 3 out, lost place and weakened quickly before 2 out, pulled up before last
Along Long Story has a penalty to carry for landing a similar race at Thurles where the long odds-on GOOD BYE SAM was just over four lengths back in third. The latter had run very much better behind stable companion Billaway at Naas earlier, form that would see him very difficult to beat here. Lord Schnitzel had been in top form between the flags before pulling up behind Billaway in the big hunters' chase at Cheltenham while Ask D'Man and Er Dancer were close behind Lawlor's Choice at Down Royal and the winner goes in the previous race.
Ask D'Man (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Led and disputed, headed 4 out, disputed again 3 out, soon led, headed approaching 2 out, ridden after 2 out, rallied run-in, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Lawlor's Choice (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Er Dancer (FR) 4-6fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 5 out, 4th and ridden 3 out, under pressure in 3rd 2 out, stayed on to press leaders run-in, held close home, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Lawlor's Choice (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Good Bye Sam (FR) 2-11fav (12-0) Prominent, disputed lead briefly 7th, 2nd 6 out, headway to lead before 3 out, ridden and headed early straight, no impression run-in and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 11, 4 3/4l behind Along Long Story (12-0) at Thurles 3m 1f mdn Yielding in Mar.
How's Trix (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Rr, last 1/2way, mstk 5out, gd prog bef 2out, chall aftr 2out, 2l 2nd when mstk last, ko flat bt nt mtch wnr, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Golden Bald (11-11) at Rathcannon 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Its On The Line (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Twrds rr, 11th 1/2way, rdn & prog aftr 4out, 5th sn aftr 4out, rdn & mod 5th bef 3out, ko onepce, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Well P (11-11) at Ballycrystal 3m mdn sft in Feb.
Loggan Lady (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) 2nd aftr 2nd, mstk 9th, 2nd 1/2way, jnd ldr bef 15th, wo aftr 8out, rdn bef 3out (up bank), 4l adv last, kow, won at Lingstown 3m sft in Mar beating Tech Talk (12-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
O Mio Babbino (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Pr, chsd ldrs & 3rd from 4th, 2l 2nd 6out, 3rd bef 5out, no ex in 4th 3out, wknd bef 2out, 6th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Koyote (12-2) at Ballynoe 3m Good - Yielding in Mar.
Along Long Story (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, 3rd 6 out, disputed lead briefly after 4 out, mistake next, headway to lead early straight, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 3m 1f mdn Yielding in Mar beating Michael's Pick (12-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lord Schnitzel (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Prominent, mistake 13th, hit 16th, pressed leaders 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, beaten when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 2f (2) gs in Mar.
