chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to close 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra 2f out, kept on one pace
led, pressed from 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
held up and keen hold, 6th halfway, closer entering straight, ridden in 6th 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, stayed on to challenge under 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
MOTHERLAND was transferred from Aidan to Joseph O'Brien after just one run and ended a shortened campaign in spectacular style, landing a Ballinrobe maiden by seven lengths then a Galway handicap by an incredible 17 lengths. Not surprisingly, he shot up the ratings to the tune of 18lb and reappears in this conditions event - he will be expected to make a successful start before tackling the top staying races. Benkei is a decent stayer but didn't show much over timber over the winter and never got into the action on his reappearance on the Flat at Leopardstown. Dermot Weld has two entries and Pat Smullen elects to ride the twice-raced Ezanak, a debut winner at Gowran last April before a fair run at Naas 11 days ago, over the more experienced and higher-rated Tandem, though the latter has a long absence to overcome. Swamp Fox completed a hat-trick on the Flat and over hurdles last summer but will need to step up again.
Benkei (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Held up in last, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression, 5th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Torcedor (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f sft in Apr.
Brokopondo (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Held up in 6th, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Torcedor (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f sft in Apr.
Cash In Mind (FR) (8-13) last of 8, 17 1/4l behind Best Fouad (9-5) at Cagnes-sur-Mer 1m 3f lst stks sft in Nov.
Mandatario 10-3 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 4th 2f out and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Winter Lion (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Motherland (IRE) 2-1fav (9-12) Chased leader, improved to lead under 3f out, stayed on well to asssert from over 1f out, easily, won at Galway 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul beating Forcefull (8-7) by 17l, 10 ran.
Adimelo (FR) 9-1 (10-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, slight mistake 4th, 2nd when slight mistake at 6th (usual 3 out), soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Bamako Moriviere (11-8) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Jun.
Ezanak (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-0) Mid-division, pushed along in 7th 2f out, ridden in 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Aared (9-9) at Naas 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Tandem (8-13) 11th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Musaddas (9-1) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Swamp Fox (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Raced in rear, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and ridden before next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, last of 3, 11l behind Missy Tata (11-0) at Limerick 2m lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec.
