tracked leaders, 3rd and not fluent 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 4th and soon niggled along, ridden in 2nd 2 out, weakened
rear of mid-division, closer 7th on inner 2 out, ridden approaching last, 5th and mistake at last, no impression on leaders, eased final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, close 6th 2 out, soon ridden, 6th at last, headway into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on well close home, not reach winner, never nearer
towards rear, closer 8th 2 out, pushed along on outer before last, kept on well without threatening under hands and heels inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, close 5th 2 out, pushed along and improved to lead at last, clear and ridden inside final furlong, reduced advantage close home, kept on
tracked leaders on outer, ridden in 4th after 2 out, no impression
always behind, slightly hampered 1st, never a factor
led, mistake 5th, ran around approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed at last, no impression and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
towards rear, brought down 1st
GEE REX, a four-times a winner on the Flat, has had a run on the level since finishing second in what looked a strong Leopardstown maiden in March and, with Jordan Gainford booked, he looks the one to beat. Hammersmith has also been mixing the Flat and hurdles with his best recent run coming over a mile at the Curragh in March. Aboutagout was a 100/1 chance when a very good second at Limerick and a repeat would see him in contention but winning point-to-pointer Clondaw Bertie is likely to find this on the short side. Karla Martina showed her first sign of ability at Fairyhouse in November and showed there are races to be won with her when runner-up over the track and trip last month so she looks a major threat. Pythion, narrowly beaten in a Listed contest two years ago, has changed stables and has a long absence to overcome.
Gee Rex (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Stumbled start, soon in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon no impression, 19th of 24, 16l behind Layfayette (8-13) at Curragh 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Hammersmith (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Soon raced in 3rd, slight mistake 3rd, no impression straight, moderate 2nd approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Bapaume (11-4) at Cork 2m Yielding in Mar.
Pythion (FR) 20-1 (9-5) Soon led, a little keen early, headed under 2f out, soon no extra, 15th of 17, 11 1/2l behind Kastasa (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gd in Sep.
Sayesse 28-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, progress to 5th halfway, closed in 3rd under 4f out, under pressure entering straight, ridden over 1f out, lost place and weakened under 1f out, 11th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Dazzling Darren (10-1) at Sligo 1m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Royal Gift (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division best, ridden and no impression 2 out, 10th of 15, 22l behind Dreamingandhoping (11-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f mdn Yielding in Apr.
Aboutagout (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Mid-division, left 5th 4 out, pushed along to go 3rd before 2 out, 2nd approaching last, no impression on winner and kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 5 1/2l behind War God (12-0) at Limerick 2m mdn Yielding in Apr.
Cullaghs Star (IRE) 150-1 (11-6) Mid-division early, disputed 9th approaching 4th, no extra from before straight, 14th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Coach Carter (11-6) at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in Mar.
Ferdia (IRE) Dylan Thomas gelding out of Bonnie Theatre.
Fongs Way (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 7th at 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 20 1/2l behind Tipping Away (11-6) at Clonmel 2m mdn sft in Mar.
Mac Suibhne (IRE) 18-1 (12-2) Towards rear, 8th halfway, under pressure approaching straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 29 1/4l behind Bohemian Birch (11-9) at Sligo 2m 2f Yielding in Oct.
Karla Martina (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Disputed early, chased leader from 1st, ridden before last, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Dreamingandhoping (11-9) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f mdn Yielding in Apr.
Cast Iron (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Waited with, some slight mistakes, pushed along briefly from 3rd and at stages after, always towards rear and never a factor, 17th of 20, dist behind Frere Tuck (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Jan.
We'll Go Again (IRE) 66-1 (12-0) Towards rear, progress before last, ridden in moderate 8th entering straight, kept on same pace closing stages, 5th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Calthor (11-6) at Ballinrobe 2m 2f mdn Yielding in Apr.
Clondaw Bertie (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Led, headed after 3 out, 3rd and no impression when fell next, at Fairyhouse 2m mdn sft in Nov.
Karakhan (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Mid-division, raced keenly, hampered by loose horse 3rd, not fluent 6th, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 9th of 15, dist behind Winter Fog (12-0) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn Yielding in Apr.
Ozark Pride (IRE) 18-1 (11-11) Disputed lead briefly early, prominent, soon 3rd, lost place from 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Choice Of Words (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 2f hvy in Mar.
Backing Band (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Mid-division, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 15, dist behind Gordon's Jet (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 1f Yielding in Sep.
