held up in rear, mistake 4th, slight mistake 5 out, progress into mid-division after 4 out, ridden in 9th after 3 out, no impression next
chased leaders, led and disputed after 2nd, ridden 3 out, headed before next where 3rd, kept on same pace from before last
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from next
mid-division, bad mistake 3rd, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression when fell 3 out
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight
mid-division, ridden and no impression when hampered 3 out, soon no extra
mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden to challenge on outer before next, disputed last, asserted closing stages run-in
held up, towards rear halfway, ridden into 7th 3 out, under pressure in 6th next, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress on inner to challenge 3 out, ridden to dispute before 2 out, led after 2 out, disputed last, no extra in 2nd closing stages run-in
held up towards rear, ridden and progress 3 out, under pressure in 7th 2 out, no extra before last, kept on same pace
disputed early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, soon ridden and disputed before 2 out, headed after 2 out, under pressure in 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
led and disputed, ran freely early, slight mistake and ridden 3 out, headed before next, under pressure in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last
chased leaders, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, hampered 3 out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, no extra 3 out, 7th next, kept on one pace
Only one favourite has won this in ten years though the winner is generally well supported. Pivot Bridge won the race a year ago and though 9lb higher is expected to have another crack and has run well in similar handicaps on his last two starts. Thomas Edison was in superb form last summer and should carry his big weight with distinction after a warm-up at Fairyhouse while Grade 3 winner Rich Coast could hardly be expected to trade blows with Douvan at Punchestown and this is more his class. Despite a moderate latest run, Henry Higgins has a chance at his best while Solita is improving though could need further. QUEEN ALPHABET hasn't had too much experience over hurdles but has scored twice and produced her best run to date when a close fifth at Aintree last month so she's taken to land this nice prize for Peter Fahey.
Thomas Edison (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division early, slight mistake 2nd, closer in 6th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, 15th of 17, 29l behind Some Article (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr.
Rock The World (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division on outer, mistake 1st, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 18th of 24, 44l behind Katie T (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan.
Western Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, no impression 6th, soon no danger, 22nd of 25, 34l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Henry Higgins (IRE) 7-1fav (10-13) Soon rear of mid-division, headway under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last, 15th of 25, 19l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Courtncatcher (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, never a factor, last of 22, well behind Sort It Out (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl sft.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, progress after 3 out, close enough in 5th when brought down 2 out, in a race won by Knight's Parade (11-3) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl in Mar, 8 ran.
Waxies Dargle 16-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division, headway under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last, 9th of 25, 9l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Elishpour (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 12th approaching straight, no extra and towards rear when hampered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Usuel Smurfer (10-8) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hdl sft in Dec, 21 ran.
Mrs Mac Veale (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Led, tended to jump left, joined and not fluent 2 out, soon headed, no extra, 20th of 25, 25l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Solita (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up in last, pushed along briefly 5th and 7th, closer in 6th 3 out, ridden and headway into 4th on outer 2 out, improved to lead at last, stayed on well, won at Wexford 2m 4f nov hdl 0-116 gd in Apr beating Akorakor (11-7) by 2l, 6 ran.
Pivot Bridge 20-1 (9-10) Soon tracked leaders on inner, kept on same pace under pressure from before last, 6th of 25, 7l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Misty Lady (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, close up 8th, led approaching straight, soon pressed, stayed on well run-in,, won at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 in Apr beating Mrs Mac Veale (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Cest Notre Gris (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, 4th next, kept on without threatening to go 3rd from last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Poetic Lord (11-5) at Wexford 2m 2f mdn hdl gd in Apr.
Lilshane (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, closer in 3rd 4 out, ridden to dispute before 2 out, under pressure in 2nd after 2 out, joined leader last and left in lead, soon headed run-in, kept on without matching winner, just held 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Sir Scorpion (10-13) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hcp hdl in Apr.
Rich Coast 20-1 (11-12) Raced in 4th, no impression from 3 out, no extra from next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Douvan (11-12) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl G2 (1) in Apr, 6 ran.
Fethard Player (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, short of room briefly after 3rd, headway under pressure straight, kept on same pace from before last, 8th of 25, 7l behind Some Article (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl in Apr.
Erlkonig (GER) 10-3 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching straight, no impression in 3rd and not fluent last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Shutter Island (10-7) at Ballinrobe 2m 4yo hcp hdl in Aug.
Queen Alphabet (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before last, no impression, 5th of 21, 4l behind Astre De La Cour (10-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
