led, ridden and headed 3f out, dropped to moderate 5th 2f out, weakened
pushed along early and held up in touch in last, went 4th on outer and ridden 2f out, moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch in 5th, headway into 2nd and pushed along 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure close home
chased leaders disputing 3rd, ridden 3f out, dropped to last and trailing 2f out, no impression
chased leaders disputing 3rd, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, moderate 4th over 1f out, no impression
Imperial Choice completed a double when scoring here last July and Cathal Byrnes had a winner in his first week with a licence on Friday. He'll be better for a run at Leopardstown last week and has to be respected. Merroir went up 9lb for a three lengths victory at Gowran and has looked a couple of pounds high while Melburnian hasn't rediscovered the form that saw him win a premier handicap at Leopardstown in 2019 though he's now 1lb lower. Port Sunlight looked one to follow this season after ending the last campaign with an impressive victory at Gowran but hasn't made the expected progress and takes a big step-up in trip. STARLIGHT DREAM ran well over a trip too short on her comeback at Roscommon, when Ivy Avenue was behind, and Sam Ewing's claim offset's her big weight.
Starlight Dream (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Led until headed halfway, 2nd entering straight, soon pushed along and on terms, ridden to lead again 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, no extra in 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Pineapple Express (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp fll Good - Yielding in May.
Ivy Avenue (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Pushed along early, soon rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Pineapple Express (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp fll Good - Yielding in May.
Port Sunlight (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) A little slow into stride, a little keen, waited with in rear, raced on outer and pushed along straight, soon headway, 3rd over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 4, 5 1/4l behind Max Mayhem (9-4) at Roscommon 1m 2f Yielding in May.
Merroir (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along under 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, moderate 2nd final 100 yards, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Forbearance (9-9) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fll gf in Jun.
Imperial Choice (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 15, 12 1/2l behind Ever Present (11-9) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn gf in Jun.
Only Sky (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Soon led, narrowly headed soon after 2f, close up in 2nd after, on terms under 5f out, led over 3f out, narrowly headed from 1f out, kept on same pace closing stages, 5th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Call Me Sweetheart (9-2) at Curragh 1m 4f mdn fll Good - Yielding in Jun.
Melburnian (FR) 25-1 (9-10) Waited with, soon towards rear, 11th before halfway, dropped to last approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening after, 12th of 15, 12l behind Vultan (9-5) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp Yielding in May.
Summer House 50-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, 11th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, 10th of 13, 15 1/2l behind Pineapple Express (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f hcp fll Good - Yielding in May.
