chased leaders in 3rd, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong
held up in last, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression
held up in 6th, ridden entering straight, soon no impression
led, headed 4 1/2f out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, moderate 2nd 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden 3f out, soon no impression, moderate 4th inside final furlong
soon chased leaders in 4th and took keen hold, disputed 2nd briefly before halfway, ridden in 5th over 3f out, weakened
chased leader in 2nd, joined for 2nd brielfy before halfway, improved to lead 4 1/2f out, ridden clear entering straight, stayed on strongly under pressure final furlong, easily
FORGOTTEN RULES didn't reappear last season until September when just failing to hold the challenge of Twilight Payment over two miles on heavy ground at the Curragh. Dermot Weld's charge was conceding the winner 12lb and receives 6lb here so should have no problems reversing the places and taking this. Mountain Rock has won two bumpers but was well beaten in the championship event at Cheltenham while Torcedor disappointed last season and has his first start for Jessica Harrington. Benkei is a decent handicapper but didn't take to hurdles over the winter.
Twilight Payment (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Chased leaders on inner, pushed along over 3f out, improved to dispute lead briefly 2 1/2f out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd 2f out, regained 2nd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Curragh 2m lst stks (1) hvy in Sep beating Forgotten Rules (9-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Benkei (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Stalled and lost ground at start, soon mid-division, closer order to track leaders approaching straight, slight mistake 3 out, no extra from next, 7th of 16, dist behind Next Bend (11-7) at Navan 2m hcp hvy in Apr.
Brokopondo (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden and progress under 2f out, stayed on into 6th on inner 1f out, no impression final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 5 1/2l behind Brendan Brackan (9-12) at Naas 1m Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Forgotten Rules (IRE) (9-2) 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Nahual (9-2) at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f lst stks Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Mountain Rock (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced on outside over 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never pace to trouble leaders, 8th of 22, 10 1/4l behind Fayonagh (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Mar.
Nulife (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Slowly away and fly leapt after leaving stalls, soon in touch in rear, ridden and no extra under 2f out, weakened, last of 9, 15 3/4l behind St Stephens Green (9-8) at Dundalk 2m mdn pol in Mar.
Torcedor (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden under 4f out, no impression 2f out, no extra over 2f out, 10th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Hawke (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug.
