Verdict

Royal Pippen is the only course and distance winner and is on the same mark as when successful in October. Hotrocket is lightly-raced and the Fairyhouse winner only weakened close home on his reappearance over Cork's straight 7f. Navagio, who finished just in front of him that day, was biting off more than he could chew in a premier handicap on the same track on Friday. Coins Cross ended last season landing a heavy-ground handicap at the Curragh for which he's 7lb higher. STARTING MONDAY was unlucky to come up against a well-handicapped and gambled-on winner at Cork on Friday and can go one better.

Formwatch

Hotrocket (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-8) Mid-division on far side, took closer order from 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final 200 yards, no extra and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Joe Masseria (9-11) at Cork 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.

Spanish Tenor (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 1 1/2f out, pressed 1f out, headed last 150 yards, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Dunum (8-13) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Apr.

Coins Cross (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Close up, 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out, closed under 2f out, led narrowly 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final 150 yards, won at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in Oct beating San Aer (9-4) by 2l, 18 ran.

Yermanthere (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, ridden under 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never a factor, 9th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Smile Of Love (9-6) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.

Crystal Black (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Mid-division and raced keenly, pushed along from 2f out, short of room over 1f out and soon dropped towards rear, some modest late headway closing stages, 9th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Joe Masseria (9-11) at Cork 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.

Navagio (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, soon ridden and no extra over 1f out, 17th of 19, 16 1/4l behind Earls (8-11) at Cork 7f hcp gd in May.

Royal Pippen (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, ridden to progress 1 1/2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Mickey The Steel (10-3) at Navan 5f hcp hvy in Oct.

Mercurial (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along from 3f out and soon lost place, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, last of 8, 11l behind Cowboy Justice (9-3) at Killarney 1m gd in Jul.

Dragon Of Malta (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 10th 3f out, weakened, 16th of 19, 12 1/4l behind Loingseoir (9-11) at Curragh 1m sft in Oct.

Georgeta 5-1 (9-12) Mid-division, 4th on inner halfway, pushed along and lost place under 2f out, no extra final furlong, 9th of 12, 7 1/2l behind All Lies Ahead (9-13) at Leopardstown 7f hcp hvy in Apr.

Safari Quest (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) Mid-division best, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Any Dream Will Do (9-8) at Limerick 1m hcp sft in Apr.

Drombeg Duke (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, lost position and ridden on inner over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, last of 11, 24 1/4l behind Cosmic Vega (10-0) at Killarney 1m hcp sft in Oct.

Starting Monday (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Persian Queen (9-3) at Cork 1m hcp gd in May.

Mogwli (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along under 2f out and some headway 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, 8th of 24, 1 1/2l behind Run Forrest Run (9-4) at Curragh 6f hcp sft in May.