tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead at 8th, attempted to run out on bend before next, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last
led, jumped left, reminder after 1st, headed before 5th, 3rd halfway, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders in 4th, dropped to last at 7th, closer 4th 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 3rd at 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no impression on leaders before last, kept on one paced
tracked leader in 2nd, led before 5th, headed 7th, ridden in 2nd from 3 out, 4th before next, soon weakened
slowly into stride and held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to lead at 7th, headed next, weakened from 4 out, soon trailing, pulled up before 2 out
Gordon Elliott saddles half of the six entries. BE THE HERO was left clear when the favourite fell at the last at Fairyhouse when upsides but he would probably have won anyway and was racing over a trip much too short. He looks a nice staying prospect and he can see off stable companions Crest, a maiden winner at Navan in March before well beaten in a Fairyhouse Grade 2, and Hard To Call, who had looked a smart prospect on heavy going at Limerick but ran poorly on quicker ground at Punchestown. Laid Back Luke also disappointed when tackling this trip at Punchestown after an emphatic victory over 2m3f at Clonmel but dual point-to-point winner Buckskin Boulta will love the test of stamina after making most in very testing conditions over 2m4f at Uttoxeter.
Be The Hero (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Disputed lead early, soon led, slightly slow 5th, headed 2 out, on terms again approaching last where slight mistake and left in front and clear, stayed on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Apr beating Moonlit Theatre (11-5) by 22l, 14 ran.
Buckskin Boulta (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led after 1st, not fluent 3rd, pressed from 3 out, driven next, edged right before last, stayed on gamely, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Apr beating Marquis Of Carabas (11-2) by nk, 8 ran.
Crest 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear, slight mistake 3rd and pushed along briefly, pushed along again after 6th, not much room briefly after 7th and under pressure, slight mistake 3 out, weakened, 10th of 12, dist behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Mar.
Hard To Call (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, 9th halfway, ridden 3 out, no impression next, 8th of 11, 24 1/2l behind Woodland Opera (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Apr.
Laid Back Luke (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, slightly impeded before next, mistake 10th, slight mistake 3 out, no impression when tight for room approaching straight, eased run-in, 14th of 24, dist behind Cup Final (11-7) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Apr.
Backinyourbox (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Led and disputed early, headed 3rd, pushed along in 6th halfway, soon dropped towards rear, trailing 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ballinrobe 2m hcp sft in Sep.
