tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and ridden in 3rd before last, under pressure and no impression run-in
mid-division, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, kept on one pace
led, slight mistakes 3rd and 5th, joined before 2 out, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and headed early run-in, under pressure and kept on, carried left close home (finished 2nd, placed 1st)
mid-division, slight mistake 1st, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, soon no extra
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching straight and dropped to 6th before last, no extra run-in
towards rear, headway before 3 out, pushed along in 4th approaching straight, ridden and no impression in 5th run-in
towards rear, headway on outer approaching straight and went 4th at last, under pressure and kept on one pace run-in to go 3rd closing stages
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to dispute before 2 out, pushed along approaching straight and pecked slightly last, soon led and edged left, ridden and kept on, drifted left close home (finished 1st, placed 2nd)
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression after 2 out, no extra
Samson Bill hasn't had much experience for his age but has managed to win over hurdles and fences though both were on heavy going. Zipporah is another whose victories have all come on ground with plenty of give but Hard Bought acts on any ground and his victory at Galway in October from just 2lb lower places him firmly on the shortlist. SUMMER STORM isn't a prolific winner and returns after a break but his overall form at this sort of level suggests he could be good enough to take this moderate handicap.
Rebelion Boy (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden 2 out, no impression, 13th of 25, 19 1/2l behind Park Paddocks (10-12) at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Samson Bill (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, slight mistake 5th, 6th approaching 6th, soon improved, badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out, at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp sft in May.
Dark Outsider (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 5th from 8th, dropped to last at 10th, no extra and eased straight, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Winter Breeze (11-5) at Killarney 2m 5f hcp Yielding in May.
Summer Storm 10-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on approaching last, no impression, 6th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Dizzey Heights (10-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Hard Bought (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders early, not always fluent jumping, 9th before halfway, lost place and no extra approaching straight, 10th of 15, dist behind Grey Mountain Mist (10-11) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp gd in May.
Omega Springs (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Raced in 5th early, no extra from after 3 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Fintara (11-5) at Wexford 2m sft in May.
Icelip (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Towards rear, slight mistake 1st, detached 6th, soon headway, kept on same pace without threatening from 3 out, 9th of 14, dist behind Fintara (11-5) at Wexford 2m sft in May.
Bakers Street 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Solar Heat (11-5) at Thurles 2m 2f Yielding in Nov.
Ballykea Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 10, dist behind Lacken Bridge (11-9) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hvy in Apr.
Zipporah (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Led and disputed, led after 5th, 5-lengths clear before 8th, left well clear 5 out, reduced advantage after 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Lakemilan (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Apr.
By The Banks (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, closer after 4 out, ridden and no impression after next, no extra when jumped right last, weakened, 5th of 7, 22l behind Blue Empyrean (11-11) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp hvy in Jan.
