towards rear, pushed along briefly after 1st, not fluent 7th, soon pushed along again, pecked 7 out, no extra 4 out, eased approaching straight, completely tailed off
held up early, took keen hold, not fluent 6 out, headway 4 out, on terms approaching next where slightly slow, headed after 2 out, stayed on without matching winner run-in
held up, 6th approaching 4 out, went 5th approaching straight, ridden to go moderate 3rd from before last, stayed on without threatening run-in
held up, closed from 5 out, on terms approaching 3 out, travelling smoothly before straight, led after 2 out, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, 4th approaching straight, no impression from after 2 out, no extra when pecked last
held up, under pressure towards rear 6 out, moderate 6th approaching straight, no impression and kept on same pace from after 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along 8th and lost place, dropped behind 6 out, no extra 4 out, eased approaching straight, pulled up before 2 out
soon disputed lead, slightly slow 1st, headed before 4 out, no extra next, eased 2 out, tailed off
disputed lead, led before 4 out, joined approaching 3 out, headed and dropped to 3rd 2 out, no extra when jumped left last
The veteran Muirhead has always performed at a very high level and has won when fresh in the past so the lack of a recent run may not be too much of a problem. Noble Prince has a Listed penalty to carry for his victory over Realt Dubh at Thurles in November but he was only narrowly beaten in a Cork Grade 3 in April. Pageboy is progressing nicely and enjoyed the fast conditions at Fairyhouse so would be well suited if the ground dried out. Cailin Annamh started a short-priced favourite in that latter race and was just behind the winner when crashing out at the second last. She made amends at Limerick and looks a nice prospect. Dushybeag, who finished four lengths back in third, looks held and would be better with some rain. LAMBRO is an experienced handicapper with several strong efforts to his credit and he looked on the way back to form at Killarney last time so gets the nod to gain his first success since scoring here two years ago. Away We Go is another tough handicapper, though he's better over further.
Noble Prince (GER) 33-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, behind from 9th, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Boston Bob (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) in Apr, 9 ran.
Pageboy (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, 10th at 4th, closer order from before 4 out, 4th approaching straight, ridden to challenge and lead before last, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase gf in May beating Presenting Beara (11-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Cailin Annamh (IRE) 4-6fav (10-11) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before straight, soon challenged travelling smoothly, led 2 out, went on from before last, flicked tail run-in, stayed on well,, won at Limerick 2m 3f in May beating Caoimhe's Delight (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Away We Go (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division slightly hampered 6 out, 8th 4 out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 14, 14l behind Chartreux (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hcp chs 0-150 in May.
Baresi (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Kilcarry Bridge (9-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in May.
Dushybeag (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, pushed along briefly after 2nd, a little slow 10th, got on terms approaching straight, narrow lead when slight mistake 2 out, headed before last, soon one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Pageboy (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase gf in May.
Lambro (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Raced mainly in 3rd, under pressure to hold place when short of room before straight and soon in rear, no impression from before 2 out, moderate 4th approaching last, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Baily Green (11-2) at Killarney 2m 4f chs in May.
Manor Court (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Prominent, 7th before 4 out, moderate 8th and no extra approaching straight, weakened, completely tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Pageboy (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f beg chase gf in May.
Muirhead (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division on outer, trailing 6 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Cootamundra (10-2) at Navan 3m hcp chs 0-150 in Nov, 20 ran.
