mid-division early, towards rear halfway, no impression 5f out, weakened and tailed off
led, headed 2 1/1f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, kept on one pace
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in moderate 4th 4f out, 5th 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 4f out, no extra and weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th and no extra 4f out, weakened and completely tailed off
held up towards rear, headway in 5th 4f out, 4th 3f out, ridden in 3rd and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, pulled up quickly 6f out
chased leader in 2nd, led 2 1/2f out, clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, easily
CHAMPAGNE AGENT returned to action as a warm favourite at Thurles last month and though beaten by Touch Back time will probably tell he was taking on something special. The remainder were well beaten and Willie Mullins' charge can gain compensation. Bishops Walk hasn't been seen since an excellent debut at Punchestown last November where he looked short of experience. He'll know more this time and is a threat along with triple point-to-point winner Oscars Business, who made a nice debut under Rules in a Limerick bumper and receives the mare's allowance. The remainder look to have plenty to do.
Be My Shabra (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Farney Girl.
Bishops Walk (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, 6th and smooth headway 3f out, 3rd and ridden 1 1/2f out, stayed on well last 100 yards, just failed, ran green, 2nd of 10, nk behind Darwins Fox (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Nov '10.
Champagne Agent (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed from halfway, led early straight, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Touch Back (12-0) at Thurles 2m N H flat sft in Nov.
Robbie Kaydee (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 6f out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Leave Him Alone (12-0) at Cork 2m 4f NH flat gd in Apr.
Robert Henry (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear, struggling from 6f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 8th of 11, 29l behind Blue Bicycle (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m N H flat sft in Nov.
Slaney Wood (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Ld & sn clr, 20l clr 1/2 way, red adv 4out, hdd bef 2out, no ex, 4th of 17, 29l behind Let The Show Begin (12-0) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp sft in Apr.
Gunns Island (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of Il Porto.
Kings Artist (IRE) King's Theatre mare out of Native Artist.
Oscars Business (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway to lead entering straight, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Carries Darling (10-13) at Limerick 2m mrs N H flat sft in Nov.
Fourinone (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, no extra, 4th of 8, 15l behind Moscow Mannon (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m N H flat sft.
