chased leaders, 3rd halfway, close up and mistake 3 out, travelled well to challenge after 2 out, ridden before straight, no extra in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace
chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead approaching 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on under pressure from before straight, challenged last, disputed closing stages, just prevailed at line
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra after 2 out, weakened and tailed off
chased leader, slight mistake 2nd, soon 4th, ridden 2 out, soon no extra
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 4th after 2 out, ridden before straight, kept on to challenge last, disputed closing stages, just denied at line
held up towards rear, headway into 3rd after 2 out, ridden before straight, soon no extra in 4th and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last
A very strong renewal with all bar the useful Mackeys Forge, who has been chasing, having recent winning form. Winning point-to-pointer and bumper Band Of Blood made an impressive start over hurdles at Limerick and will be even better suited by this longer trip. Stamina is the strongpoint of Hunting Party, who galloped on resolutely to score over 3m at Thurles while Kilcarry Bridge made all for a debut success over timber at Sligo and can only improve. Our Man Zebo always looked like winning over this course and distance last month and is progressing very nicely. He holds subsequent winner Soweheard on that run but Pyrus Gold Wind didn't appear to enjoy heavy ground at Punchestown last time. Kates Benefit can make her presence felt with her allowance but in a tough race to call it's PERFECT GENTLEMAN, who showed major improvement to score at Punchestown, who gets the verdict.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge entering straight, led 2 out, asserted last, pushed out and kept on strongly run-in, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl sft beating Pumbaa (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Hunting Party (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to dispute before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well from before last where slight mistake, won at Thurles 3m mdn hdl gd in Apr beating Chief Admiral (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Kilcarry Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Made all, ridden entering straight, kept on well from last, won at Sligo 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) sft beating Hospital (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mackeys Forge (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always prominent, mistake and reminders 7th, slightly hampered 3 out, not match winner and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Datokepe (11-9) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f beg chs sft.
Perfect Gentleman (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead travelling well entering straight, ridden last, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Punchestown 3m mdn hdl gd beating Golden Wonder (11-12) by 8l, 17 ran.
Pyrus Gold Wind (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Raced in 5th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden and no extra from next, no threat in straight, 5th of 10, 40l behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl hvy in Apr.
Kates Benefit (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Raced in 2nd, niggled along to challenge when didn't land great 3 out, no impression from next, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Curvacious (10-11) at Killarney 2m 1f hdl sft.
Our Man Zebo (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, close up after 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, ridden to challenge before straight, led before last, kept on well, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Apr beating Kandinski (11-4) by 4l, 15 ran.
Soweheard (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Waited with, closer in 5th before 3 out, challenged on outer next, on terms last, soon led and hung left run-in, stayed on, won at Downpatrick 2m 5f mdn hdl gd beating Faanan Aldaar (9-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
