rear of mid-division, 10th under pressure entering straight, no impression
led and disputed, strongly pressed from 2 1/2f out, headed under 2f out, rallied under pressure entering final furlong, stayed on
rear of mid-division, 12th halfway, 8th and some progress approaching straight, no impression from 2f out
prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5f out, weakened early straight
tracked leaders in 6th, 5th and headway approaching straight, 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
rear of mid-division, 6th and headway early straight, 5th 1 1/2f out, 2nd and challenged inside final furlong, soon led, stayed on well
mid-division, 8th 5f out, smooth headway early straight, led on bridle under 2f out, ridden and no response entering final furlong, headed and one pace last 100 yards
mid-division, 9th 5f out, headway entering straight, 3rd and ridden to challenge over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
always prominent, 4th and ridden early straight, challenged 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
towards rear, kept on without threatening straight
always behind, ridden and weakened 5f out
chased leaders, 7th halfway, weakened before straight
2nd and disputed lead, ridden and weakened over 4f out
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd approaching straight, soon no extra and weakened
Hardy Eustace won this in 2003 and it's usually won by a jumper. Flying Light very nearly made a winning debut under Flat rules at Tipperary and has since been in fine form over timber, scoring at Galway last month. He's on the short-list but Dermot Weld won this a year ago and can repeat the process with DANCERS DILEMMA. He was in good form earlier this year, finishing third in a strong bumper at Leopardstown before winning one at Ballinrobe in May, and looks just the type for this. The top-class hurdler Go Native makes his long-awaited reappearance, his first start since being injured when favourite for last year's Champion Hurdle. He usually goes well fresh and should produce a good run before heading for the major events over timber. Jezki looked very useful when landing two bumpers at the beginning of the year and was by no means disgraced in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham while Benash looks best of those who have been racing on the level.
Benash (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, headway in 5th 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no impression leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Shadow Eile (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 6f mdn stks gd in Jul.
Cairdin (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, slight mistake 4 out, struggling in 5th 2 out, kept on without threatening under pressure run-in, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fair Dilemma (11-9) at Listowel 2m 4f beg chs sft in Sep.
Dancers Dilemma (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Chased leaders, closer order under 2f out, challenged final furlong and eased ahead from over 100yds out, stayed on well, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m N H flat gd in May beating Dale Street (11-7) by 2l, 16 ran.
First Impressions (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, 15th of 18, 26l behind King Of Aran (11-3) at Curragh 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (50-85) (3yo+) in Sep.
Flying Light (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden from 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1 1/2f out, soon chased winner again and no impression, kept on well to close but not get there near finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Definite Class (10-9) at Tramore 1m 6f ladies mdn stks gf in Jun.
Glam Gerry (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Never a factor, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Lion Na Bearnai (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gs in Apr, 29 ran.
Go Native (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in rear on inside, jumped right 1st, blundered next, headway to go 5th after 2 out, soon weakened, eased flat, 10th of 12, 25l behind Binocular (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar '10.
Jezki (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure final 2f out, no impression, 8th of 20, 12l behind Champagne Fever (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Mickelson (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, dropped to last 5 out, no impression from next, poor 9th when left 2 places closer 3 out, 6th of 18, 37l behind Protaras (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m 2f beg chs gd.
Mollys Captain (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Always rear, never a factor, 13th of 14, 16l behind Zalanga (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stks pol in Aug.
News Carver (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, some late headway from 2f out, never a danger, 10th of 20, 13l behind Creekside (9-5) at Naas 1m 3yo mdn aut in Apr '11.
Nureyev's Boy (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Always behind, 14th of 16, 32l behind Shu Lewis (9-4) at Gowran Park 1m 4f mdn stks gd.
Golden Saffron (IRE) Saffron Walden filly out of Kreuzdame.
Ocean Bright (USA) 12-1 (11-10) 3rd of 21, 6l behind Broadway Twist (11-7) at Punchestown 1m 7f stks sft in May.
Quintara (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Never a factor, 18th of 19, well behind Colls Corner (11-7) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft in Feb.
