mid-division, 6th before 5th, 7th after 8th, no extra before 2 out
prominent, jumped big at 1st, led before 3rd where jumped big, headed before 4th, 4th after 4th, not fluent at 5th, 3rd at 7th, 4th 3 out, lost place before 2 out, weakened after 2 out
close up, 3rd after 4th, 4th at 7th where mistake and fell
towards rear, not fluent at 1st, 7th before 5th, progress to 4th after 8th, improved to 2nd 3 out, lost place 2 out where not fluent, no impression in 5th before last
rear, 9th before 5th, 8th after 8th, progress 2 out, ridden in 4th before last, stayed on to 2nd closing stages, not trouble winner
towards rear, 10th before 5th, hampered at 7th, progress to 5th after 8th, headway after 4 out, 3rd 3 out, closed 2 out, improved to 2nd last, kept on, dropped to 3rd closing stages
soon tracked leader, led narrowly before 4th, headed after 2 out, dropped to 3rd last where slight mistake, soon weakened in 4th
rear, 11th before 5th, 10th after 8th, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace before last
in touch, 5th before 5th, dropped to 9th after 8th, no impression before 2 out, kept on without threatening run-in
rear of mid-division, 8th before 5th, slightly hampered at 7th, mistake at 8th, 6th after 8th, progress after 3 out, closed on outer 2 out, led after 2 out, asserted before last, kept on well
soon led narrowly, headed before 3rd, 2nd after 4th, lost place 3 out, soon under pressure in 5th, weakened
NonRunner
Rachael Blackmore rode PINCE ZALTAR to victory in this last year and, though he's 11lb higher, today's rider claims 5lb and he arrives after beating a huge field in a Navan handicap. Kingston Retreat went up 19b for winning here last June and was unable to cope with the extra the following month though he was reportedly struck into and hasn't been seen subsequently. Jump The Shark is improving fast and was only just touched off in an amateurs' race at Cork. He's up 3lb and his rider claimed 7lb that day but it will be a surprise if he's not in contention. Gaius, in double-winning form in October, has changed stables but is by no means out of this while Pat Coyne is an incredible 30lb lower than over fences though has been beaten off similar marks in the past. Smitty Bacall was engaged in the 4.35 here yesterday.
Gaius (FR) 12-1 (11-10) In rear, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, headway 3 out, left 3rd last, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lock's Corner (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Teescomponentsyess (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, jumped left at 3rd and bumped rival, soon unseated rider, at Clonmel 2m 4f hvy in Apr.
Kingston Retreat 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out, 13th of 17, dist behind Moving Water (10-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Criminal Mischief (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Tracked clear leader, moderate 2nd after 3rd, took closer order before 4th, not fluent at 5th, 3rd approaching straight, 2nd before 2 out where slight mistake, ridden and kept on well run-in to lead close home, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Mar beating Skradin (11-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Prince Zaltar (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, hampered 4 out, pushed along in 12th 3 out, ridden in 10th next, went 3rd at last, 2nd early flat, stayed on well to lead near line, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar beating Music Of Tara (11-10) by 1/2l, 26 ran.
Garcon Doux (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, ridden and no impression in moderate 6th before last, no extra, 7th of 20, 29l behind Ardera Ru (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Jump The Shark (IRE) 7-4fav (12-3) Held up, progress into moderate 3rd before 6 out, closer after 4 out, ridden to challenge and edged left before 3 out, disputed 3 out, ran around slightly under pressure, slight mistake 2 out, soon headed, under pressure in 2nd last, kept on well run-in without reaching winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Killinure Lass (11-13) at Cork 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Craic Eile (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) In rear, 15th after 7th, under pressure after 3 out, moderate 10th 2 out, no extra, 10th of 15, 28 1/4l behind Lizlucky (11-2) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Aide De Camp (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Towards rear, pushed along in 10th after 2 out, 7th when not fluent last, soon no impression, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Winding River (11-9) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp sft in Apr.
Pat Coyne (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 4 out, 4th and pushed along after next, no impression from 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Optional Mix (11-1) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Oct.
Ennemi Public (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, 5th when mistake and unseated rider 10th, at Wexford 3m 1f hcp hvy in Mar.
Smitty Bacall (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In touch, 4th before 7th, under pressure and lost place before 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Thurles 2m 6f hcp Yielding in Nov.
