tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, switched to outer to lead before last, quickened up well to assert run-in
keen hold, held up last of the 5, struggling from before straight, went moderate 4th and kept on same pace from before 2 out
led early, tracked leader, gained narrow lead again from 3 out, headed before last, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
keen hold, raced 4th of the 5, a bit slow 5 out, struggling from before straight, no extra in last from before 2 out
tracked leader early, soon led, narrowly headed from 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure in 3rd from before last
Abou Ben has had very little racing for his age and his last two races have been over the minimum trip but he arrives in good form and will be well suited by ground conditions. Oilily won a Grade 3 in October 2010 but hasn't really progressed from that though she's generally performed at a high level. She finished half-a-length behind WON IN THE DARK when placed behind Pittoni at Leopardstown and the latter, another who has become disappointing and hasn't won for over two years, gets the vote in a tight contest. Marito hasn't run since finishing runner-up in a Listed contest at Auteuil in June 2010 but that's rarely a problem for one from this yard while the very consistent Castle Wings can always be relied on though more testing conditions would be a help.
Oilily (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway into close 3rd 2 out, 2nd and edged left entering straight, ridden and no impression on winner before last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Pittoni (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl gd.
Abou Ben (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, in touch in 6th 3 out, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon 3rd, went 2nd and mistake last, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m hdl hvy in Feb beating Darwins Fox (11-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Castle Wings (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway entering straight and went 3rd 2 out, ridden and no real impression before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, just failed, 2nd of 15, nk behind Paddy Pub (10-7) at Naas 3m hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Feb.
Marito (GER) (10-7) 2nd of 11, 2l behind Rosa D'anjou (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f hdl sft in Jun '10.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 3rd from 5th, slightly hampered entering straight, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace into 2nd run-in, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Pittoni (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hdl gd.
