led, ridden and headed entering straight, capitalised on winners mistake at last and led early run-in, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders, headway to lead entering straight, clear when slow at last, headed and ridden early run-in, rallied to regain lead close home, cosily at line
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd entering straight, weakened
held up in 5th, ridden from 3 out, went moderate 3rd from 2 out, kept on one paced
tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression straight
always last, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
Noel Meade won this with Go Native last year and is double-handed this time. Paul Carberry was on board the winner a year ago and will be expecting a repeat with DONNAS PALM, the winner of seven of his 15 starts and runner-up to Solwhit in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in January with the likes of Sublimity, Celestial Halo and today's rival Bahrain Storm behind. The latter has undoubtedly improved and has fitness on his side but the selection's stablemate Aitmatov is more of a staying type and will do better when sent over further. The remainder are useful enough but have plenty to do against classier rivals.
Aitmatov (GER) 50-1 (11-10) Soon towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 13, well behind Quevega (11-5) at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 gd in Apr.
Donnas Palm (IRE) 11-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd and took closer order 3 out, appeared to be travelling best entering straight, ridden and no response after 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Mourad (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl Gr3 hvy in Apr.
Bahrain Storm (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 5th 4 out, ridden into 3rd 2 out, kept on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 19, 6l behind Overturn (11-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gf in Jul.
On The Way Out (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression before 2 out, moderate 4th entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 20l behind Judge Roy Bean (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl hvy in Oct '09.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Always in rear, effort 4 out, no impression straight, 6th of 9, 33l behind The Last Derby (11-0) at Cork 2m 4f hdl gf in Jul.
Takestan (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 7th before 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bahrain Storm (11-4) at Tipperary 2m hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Jul, 12 ran.
Island Oscar (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) With leader and keen, not fluent 4 out, challenging when mistake 3 out, jumped badly left and led 2 out, went slightly left last, kept on, held on well towards finish, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Penyfan Dawn (11-5) by 1l, 5 ran.
