soon disputed lead and niggled along at stages, headed from 2 out, no impression and slight stumble on roadway before straight, kept on same pace
waited with, progress travelling well to lead after 2 out, ridden clear from before straight, stayed on well, comfortably
soon disputed lead, headed from 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
waited with last of the 5, 4th after 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, dropped to last and no extra after 2 out, tailed off
Teajaybe may struggle in this but none of the others can be completely ruled out. The Quiet Hawk and White Feathers, a winner at Kilbeggan earlier this month, arguably have a little to find at the weights, however, and Face Value didn't find much off the bridle at Punchestown so we'll concentrate on the top two. DARROUN's defeat of dual Grade 1 winner Hisaabaat at Leopardstown in January is very smart form and, though he's been beaten three times since, a repeat of that run would see him back in the winner's enclosure. Discoteca gained a deserved victory at Cork last month, having also been highly tried, and should be next best.
Darroun (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) 9th of 11, 10l behind Esmondo (10-10) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 4yo hdl Grd 3 sft.
Discoteca 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, good headway into close 3rd 3 out where mistake, challenged and pecked on landing 2 out, led before last where mistake, soon recovered and kept on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Bulgaden (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Face Value 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd 2 out and ridden to challenge entering straight, dropped to 3rd and no impression under pressure run-in, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Knocklong (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft.
Teajaybe (USA) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 8th after 4 out, in touch when mistake and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Shamkhal (11-2) at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl gd, 15 ran.
The Quiet Hawk (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Led and clear, reduced lead 3 out, headed approaching straight, soon no extra, 14th of 17, well behind Eightybarackstreet (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Apr.
White Feathers (IRE) 4-7fav (10-9) Prominent and led before 2nd, asserted after 3 out and soon in control, kept on well, easily, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4yo mdn hdl gs beating Westhaven (11-7) by 11l, 8 ran.
