towards rear, 9th 5f out, ridden on outer from 2f out and no impression from 1f out
mid-division, 5th from 5f out and soon improved into closer 4th on outer, ridden in 2nd from 2f out, no impression from 1f out and weakened
chased leaders, 3rd 5f out, pushed along from 2f out and soon weakened
chased leaders, 4th 5f out and dropped to 5th from 4f out, pushed along from 2f out and soon went 3rd, ridden to lead from 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, 6th 5f out, pushed along from 3f out and soon weakened
raced in rear, 8th and switched to outer from 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, 7th 5f out, pushed along from 2f out and went 3rd 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, not troubling winner
went slightly left from stalls, tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed from 1f out, no extra and soon dropped to 3rd
mid-division, 8th 5f out, ridden to close from 2f out and no impression from 1f out
pushed along from stalls and soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
This looks fairly open though SWAMP FOX has the highest Flat rating so gets the nomination on that basis. He also won a maiden hurdle at Thurles in January and was second in a similar contest to this over 1m5f at Ballinrobe last month when Bye Bye O Bye was fifth. Old Castletown has won twice over fences and once over hurdles but is having his first run since October. Nina Carberry keeps faith with course and distance fifth Skilled and Elusive Ivy landed a competitive handicap hurdle at Punchestown in April so warrants respect. Grand Partner, runner-up over hurdles at Bellewstown last Saturday, is also worth a second look under Patrick Mullins.
Bye Bye O Bye (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, 6th 5f out, pushed along in 5th from 2f out and soon ridden, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 5th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Petuna (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f mdn Yielding in Jun.
Call Me Pj (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon no impression, kept on, 8th of 15, 13 3/4l behind Heist (10-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Definite Earl (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Slightly slow away and settled towards rear, 11th 5f out, ridden in 8th 2f out and kept on into moderate 6th inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Petuna (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f mdn Yielding in Jun.
Grand Partner (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Towards rear, 11th after 5th, pushed along approaching straight, headway when slightly impeded and switched left between last 2, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 12, 7 1/2l behind Winter Lion (10-3) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Killdunne (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 4th 3f out, 4th 2f out, regained 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Don Vincenzo (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn sft in Jun.
Old Castletown (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 5th, closer in 3rd 4 out, slight mistake next, improved to dispute lead 2 out, headed before last, ridden at last, progress into 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home to strongly press winner to line, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind The Mooch (11-10) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp gd in Oct.
Skilled 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Don Vincenzo (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f mdn sft in Jun.
Swamp Fox (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Settled behind leaders on inner, 3rd 5f out, pushed along in 4th over 2f out and soon briefly short of room, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Petuna (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f mdn Yielding in Jun.
Elusive Ivy (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 9th early, improved to lead approaching last, kept on well run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Yielding in Apr beating The Brock Inn (11-5) by 3/4l, 25 ran.
Glendine River (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Disputed and mistake 1st, soon chased leaders, slight mistake 5th, 7th halfway, 5th 5 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no impression 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 19, 16 1/2l behind Danali (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn gd in Jun.
