held up off pace in last, trailing at 5th, pulled up before 7th
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 4th 3 out, ridden in 4th next, went 2nd at last, kept on run-in
always towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, closer in mid-division briefly at halfway, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to dispute lead 3 out, pushed along and led approaching next, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in
mid-division, slight mistake 7th, moderate 8th 3 out, no impression, never a factor
mid-division, jumped left at times, no impression from 4 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching next, dropped to 3rd and slight mistake at last, no extra run-in
mid-division, moderate 6th 4 out, soon no impression, never a factor
towards rear, moderate 8th 4 out, no impression straight, never a factor
led, ridden and headed 3 out, dropped to 3rd next, no impression in 4th at last
towards rear, some progress into moderate 5th entering straight, pushed along in moderate 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace
Goulane Chosen won this a year ago on heavy going and though 7lb higher any further rain would greatly enhance his prospects. Doctor Phoenix completed a double when landing a Naas Grade 3 a year ago and though he hasn't won subsequently he's been competing at a high level and will appreciate the drop in grade. Gordon Elliott also runs Sunsetstorise and he'll be another who would do better with testing conditions but Nearly Nama'd has won from a higher mark and is no forlorn hope. Ex Patriot has never run in a handicap over fences and may have been fortunate to win a beginners' event at Thurles though he's capable of better and has to be respected. Dolciano Dici, who finished a long way behind in that latter event after numerous mistakes, will need to jump much better so REACH UP may be the one to be on. John Ryan's charge was ridden very aggressively when scoring over the minimum trip here last month and a 7lb rise doesn't look insurmountable.
Doctor Phoenix (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Slight mistake 1st, waited with off the leaders on outer, moderate 3rd before 6th, slight mistake 4 out, closed from before straight, 2nd 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, on terms last, headed inside final furlong and one pace closing stages, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Cadmium (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Goulane Chosen (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd and mistake 3 out, led and ridden 2 out, headed at last, no extra run-in, 4th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Westerner Point (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Avenir D'Une Vie (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Led, headed and jumped right 1st and inclined to jump right after, led again from 2nd, joined from 6th, headed and not fluent 3 out, dropped to 3rd 2 out, soon no extra, relegated to last near line, last of 4, 32 1/2l behind Cadmium (11-8) at Naas 2m (1) gd in Feb.
Ex Patriot (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Led, jumped left 1st, soon disputed, not always fluent, slight mistake 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, stayed on to dispute last where pecked and left in lead, kept on under pressure run-in, won at Thurles 2m gd in Feb beating Benruben (11-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Dolciano Dici (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th and bad mistake 3 out, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 30 1/2l behind Ex Patriot (11-12) at Thurles 2m gd in Feb.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, slight mistake at 6th, headway into 3rd entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 5th and slight mistake at last, no impression, 6th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Westerner Point (11-5) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
R'evelyn Pleasure (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Raced in 7th early, closer in 3rd after 9th, effort straight, kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 14, 4l behind Quamino (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Sunsetstorise (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Mid-division early, 8th before halfway, effort from before 2 out, soon one pace, 12th of 19, dist behind For Pedro (11-2) at Galway 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Gurteen (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered at 9th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 9th of 17, dist behind Duc Des Genievres (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Reach Up 4-1 (11-10) Disputed lead, led from 4th and made rest, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp Yielding - Soft in Feb beating Fairly Legal (11-2) by 3l, 6 ran.
Call A Cab (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, slight mistake 4th, no extra from 5 out, tailed off, 13th of 17, dist behind Cilaos Emery (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m sft in Jan.
