chased sole rival, pecked 5th, closed next, pushed along briefly 4 out, ridden straight, slight mistake 2 out, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
made all, soon clear, slight mistake 6th and reduced lead, still travelling smoothly straight, ridden run-in, soon asserted and stayed on well
Last season's Coral Cup winner Diamond King was due to make his chasing debut at Galway yesterday where he would have been a long odds-on chance so his participation here has to be in doubt. Lucky Pat was also engaged in that same event and already has experience over fences having chased home the potentially useful Listen Dear at Ballinrobe though at a safe distance. Art Of Payroll only won twice over hurdles but generally ran in decent handicap company and had four starts over fences last year. He would probably have won the last of them at Ballinrobe had he not fallen at the last and should do better this campaign. General Principle has only had six starts but has already won a point-to-point, a bumper and a maiden hurdle. He could be a smart prospect over fences but so could SOME PLAN and he could be the one to take advantage if the principals don't turn up. Henry De Bromhead's charge ran a couple of fine races for Paul Nicholls in Grade-class handicaps last season and looks just the type his trainer does so well with.
Art Of Payroll (GER) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division on outer, pushed along after 4 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression, 9th of 21, 9 1/2l behind Tempo Mac (10-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Some Plan (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Pressed leader, led 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened from next, 14th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Gwafa (11-0) at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gd in May.
Diamond King (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Held up in rear, closed to dispute 6th 3 out, pushed along to chase leaders on outer before straight, no impression approaching last where impeded, one pace, 4th of 9, 12l behind One Track Mind (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
General Principle (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 3rd halfway, pushed along approaching 2 out, no impression in 5th and slow at last, no extra, 6th of 8, 16 3/4l behind Sutton Place (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Lucky Pat (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, progress into 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, kept on same pace from last to 2nd closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 20l behind Listen Dear (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f sft in Sep.
