tracked leaders, pushed along briefly at 4th, ridden in 5th 3 out, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd out, pushed along in 5th next, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along briefly at 4th, went 2nd after 4 out, led entering straight, pushed along when mistake and almost unseated rider 2 out and headed, ridden in 3rd before last, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, bad mistake 5th, mistake 4 out and quickly weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
in touch in rear, slight mistakes 1st and 6th, ridden 7th and weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led, mistake 3 out and pushed along, ridden and headed entering straight, led again briefly after 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
in touch in rear, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 3rd next, 4th before last, no impression
in touch in rear, closer in 6th 3 out, went 4th 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well run-in
A very competitive opener but we like the look of Joseph O’Brien’s EMBITTERED off a potentially-lenient mark as he should have benefited from a break since running in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. Cork winner Kildorrery failed to handle a 6lb rise at Ballinrobe after scoring at Cork while Battleoverdoyen needs further but Benruben could be interesting if back on song as he won off a higher mark around this time last year. Zarkareva finished ahead of Espion Du Chenet at Listowel last September but Grand Bornand is probably best watched having been pulled up yet again here last month.
Battleoverdoyen (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders early, mid-division halfway, headway 14th, tracked leaders when fell next, at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Unexcepted (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th entering straight, dropped to 7th and mistake 2 out, no impression, 7th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Dunvegan (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Embittered (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Towards rear out wide, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, 5th and held when mistake next, weakened soon after, 7th of 16, 18 3/4l behind Global Citizen (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Grand Bornand (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden in 9th entering straight, soon no impression, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Benruben (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, soon no impression, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out, at Limerick 2m gd in Apr.
Zarkareva (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 9th of 14, 34 1/2l behind Grange Walk (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
Kildorrery (IRE) 7-2fav (11-13) Held up in rear, closer after 4 out, pushed along and no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 7th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Defan (11-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp gd in May.
Espion Du Chenet (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, left moderate 5th at last, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Magic Daze (11-4) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Jack Holiday (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Prominent and led before 2nd, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 17, 7 1/2l behind I'll Be That Lady (10-12) at Tipperary 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
