settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, progress into 3rd 4 out, disputed next, led 2 out, ridden to assert before last, kept on well
held up towards rear, progress into 6th after 3 out, 4th 2 out, ridden into 2nd before last, kept on without reaching winner
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, bad mistake 5 out and lost position, ridden in 7th after 3 out, no impression before next
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th after 3 out, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace from before last
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra
settled behind leaders, dropped to mid-division and pushed along halfway, ridden towards rear at 7th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out
chased leader, improved to dispute before 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra 2 out
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra
led, disputed before 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra before last where mistake
held up towards rear, ridden in 9th after 3 out, no impression in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace
Hard Bought is the only one of these to have won on the track and though that was over hurdles he has a better record over fences and will enjoy the conditions. Cahirconree has only run three times over fences and though only just beaten at Tramore in December that was on very testing ground. Shouband is very much at home on this sort of ground and can go well if ready after a break while MERRION ROW has only a bit more to do than when making all at Downpatrick where he finally put his jumping problems behind. The assessor hasn't gone overboard with a 5lb rise and Danny Mullins can steer him to another victory. Blackwater Bridge lurks at the bottom of the weights and has a conditionals' claim to help though his overall form falls just short of what's likely to be required.
Cahirconree (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance approaching last, disputed 2nd and kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 19, 5 3/4l behind Just Call Me (11-0) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp gd in Apr.
Afatcat 12-1 (10-13) In rear, headway to 5th 3 out, improved to 3rd after 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Hello Sweetie (10-13) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Deano (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Towards rear, mistake and fell 1st, at Tramore 2m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Ran 4th, 5th after 2nd, 6th and unseated at 7th, at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Bellgrove (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Chased leaders and 5th halfway, headway to go 3rd 2 out and soon ridden, no extra before last where mistake, kept on same pace run-in, 7th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Lucky Pat (11-10) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp gd in Apr.
Shouband (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In rear, trailing and under pressure 6th, remote 13th entering straight, kept on without threatening from 2 out, 7th of 16, 30 3/4l behind After Aspen (11-4) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Raydari (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 4 out, weakened and tailed off, 19th of 20, dist behind Backinthesaddle (10-12) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Dec.
Hard Bought (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, bad mistake 4th and lost place, soon in rear, not fluent 4 out, 6th from next, headway on outer from before straight, no impression and jumped left 2 out, bad mistake last and no extra, 5th of 10, 23l behind De Benno (11-10) at Clonmel 2m 1f hcp hvy in Feb.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Led, under pressure and headed after 3 out, dropped to 4th before last, no extra before last, dropped to 5th close home, 5th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Hello Sweetie (10-13) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Killare Castle (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Soon raced in moderate 4th, pushed along from 3 out, dropped to last approaching straight and no extra, last of 5, dist behind Capture The Drama (10-12) at Wexford 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Merrion Row (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Made all, clear early pushed along and strongly pressed 2 out, ridden at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, all out, won at Downpatrick 2m 3f hcp gd in Mar beating I'm An Izz Wizz (11-11) by nk, 6 ran.
Blackwater Bridge (IRE) 5-2fav (9-10) Held up in rear, 4th from 4th, slight mistake 6th, left 3rd at 7th, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression before straight, mistake 2 out and no extra, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Samanntom (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 2f hcp hvy in Feb.
