prominent, took keen hold and led inside first 3f, joined from 5f out, headed over 3f out, weakened from 2f out
tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, ridden to chase winner from 2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
led, headed inside first 3f, tracked leaders after, closed up travelling smoothly from before straight, led 2f out, soon pushed along to assert, stayed on well final furlong, easily
waited with, 8th approaching halfway, pushed along to chase leaders into straight, one pace 2f out
held up, soon in rear, pushed along 6f out, under pressure and no impression from 5f out, soon weakened
held up, took keen hold, 9th approaching halfway, no impression and weakened from 5f out
waited with, took keen hold early, 6th approaching halfway, closed up on outer from before straight, one pace 2f out
waited with, 7th approaching halfway, ridden over 5f out, no extra from before straight
tracked leaders, 3rd approaching halfway, on terms from 5f out, headed 2f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace in 3rd
chased leaders and took keen hold early, 5th approaching halfway, weakened from over 2f out
Willie Mullins holds the key here with ROYAL ILLUSION and Northern Belle. The former was always going well at Punchestown and drew right away with the minimum of fuss and Patrick has chosen her over her stable companion, who he rode to victory at Clonmel. Owenacurra Lass is the other penalised entry after her victory at Wexford and she's a progressive mare while Ghurba looks best of the remainder after a reasonable start behind the selection.
Northern Belle (IRE) 9-10fav (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Clonmel 2m 1f gd in Oct beating Fostered Phil (11-10) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Owenacurra Lass (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-9) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 3rd 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1 1/2f out, soon led, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Wexford 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Positive Outlook (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Royal Illusion (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Disputed lead early, soon close up in 2nd, on terms from 5f out, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong and stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct beating Wait For No One (11-9) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lady Mccabe (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Held up, 11th approaching halfway, moderate 8th 3f out, soon pushed along, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 18 3/4l behind Chisholm Trail (11-9) at Wexford 2m sft in May.
Mama Tried (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, moderate 15th from 4th, soon no danger, pulled up before 2 out, at Tipperary 2m mdn sft in May.
Mitridante (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, soon in rear, no impression approaching straight, 9th of 10, dist behind Kerry Star (11-7) at Clonmel 2m Good - Yielding in Sep.
Annie Odds (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Twrds rr, last 1/2way, 5th 3out, wknd & pu next, at Largy 3m mdn Yielding in Apr.
Brazen Bay (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, disputed lead entering straight, soon ridden, headed 2f out, soon weakened quickly, 7th of 8, dist behind Balliniska Band (11-7) at Naas 2m hvy in Feb.
Ghurba (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In rear, progress from before straight to soon chase leaders, kept on same pace from 2f out, 4th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Royal Illusion (11-9) at Punchestown 2m gd in Oct.
Saudade (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) In rear and took keen hold, progress into 9th 4f out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Castletown Quary (12-0) at Roscommon 2m gd in Oct.
