chased leader, 3rd before 7th, mistake 8th, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, no impression from before last and kept on same pace run-in
led, not fluent 1st, headed after 8th, ridden after 2 out and soon weakened
chased leader, 2nd before 7th, improved to lead after 8th, not fluent 9th, headed after 4 out and ridden after next, no extra from 2 out
mid-division, 4th before 7th, improved to lead after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and headed, dropped to 3rd before last where bad mistake, no extra run-in
towards rear, 7th before 7th, ridden and dropped to rear before 3 out, soon no extra
towards rear, 8th before 7th, ridden before 2 out and soon no impression
towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 5th
raced in rear and pushed along early, ridden after 4 out, improved into 6th before 2 out and kept on well from before last to take 3rd close home, never nearer
mid-division not fluent 6th, 6th before 7th, 5th after 3 out and ridden in 3rd after next, went 2nd at last and kept on well run-in without matching winner
mid-division, 5th before 7th, ridden to lead before last and kept on well under pressure run-in
Noel Meade relies on Protaras to land a hat-trick of victories in this contest and the latter should be sharper for a comeback run at Roscommon. But a few of these make more appeal including MR FIFTYONE. The latter ran well at Fairyhouse before failing to figure in a tough handicap at Punchestown and this looks more his level. Marito and Rathlin are closely matched on collateral form having both found the progressive Make A Trick too good on their latest starts at this venue and Punchestown respectively but Realt Mor still looks in the handicapper's grip over fences. Cara's Oscar only won a beginners' event at Fairyhouse in April and Mister Hotelier's recent third at Punchestown looks stronger form.
Rathlin 5-2 (11-0) Led, jumped slightly left at times, not fluent 6th, pressed approaching straight, soon headed, led again 2 out, joined last, headed final 50yds,, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Make A Track (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 6f chs gd.
Realt Mor (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Led, a little keen early, joined from 5th, soon headed, left in lead again from 8th, joined 3 out, headed into straight, dropped to 4th and no extra from after 2 out,, 4th of 10, 13l behind Savello (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs 0-150 gd.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division early, chased leaders from 3rd, dropped to mid-division and reminders 8th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Rohan's Pride (10-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 7f hcp chs gd in May.
Mr Fiftyone (IRE) 5-1fav (10-4) Towards rear, 16th after 4th, mistake 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no impression, not fluent 2 out, no extra,, 9th of 17, 38l behind Blood Cotil (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f nov hcp chs in May.
Cara's Oscar (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Held up in rear, progress into 4th at 9th, close up entering straight, 5th and bad mistake 2 out, ridden and good headway to lead at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase gd in Apr beating Jarob (11-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Mister Hotelier (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4th, closer in 3rd at 6th, challenged 2 out, gained narrow lead from last, kept on well run-in, headed near finish, 3rd on line, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Real Steel (11-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs gd in May.
Sizing Solution (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) In rear, took keen hold, disputed 5th 2 out, soon no impression, left 5th from last and slightly impeded, one pace, 5th of 7, 10l behind Space Ship (11-7) at Limerick 2m hdl 0-116 gd in May.
Protaras (USA) 20-1 (10-11) Badly hampered 2nd, towards rear, pushed along briefly from 4th, 12th at 10th, bad mistake 4 out, no impression approaching straight, soon no extra, 9th of 15, 29l behind Aranhill Chief (10-3) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gd.
Never Complain (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Soon raced in moderate 3rd, 2nd from 8th, 3rd again 4 out, good headway to challenge run-in and soon led, stayed on well to draw clear,, won at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Apr beating Bendala Bleu (9-10) by 5l, 8 ran.
Elegant Statesman (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Chased leader early, 3rd from 4th, 4th 6 out, some progress into 3rd before 4 out, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened, 3rd of 6, well behind Pumbaa (11-9) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp chs hvy in Nov.
Marito (GER) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, soon raced in 7th, not fluent 9th, pushed along from 10th, challenged 2 out and not fluent, on terms last, kept on well run-in, just denied at finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Make A Track (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs in May.
