tracked leader, 3rd over 2f out, lost place and no impression from 1 1/2f out
tracked leaders, switched to challenge over 1f out, ran on well without getting to winner close home
travelled well in mid-division, every chance over 1f out, soon eased
soon mid-division, 9th for much, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out
tracked leaders, challenged in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led and stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, closer in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
towards rear for most, no impression 2f out
attempted to make all, strongly pressed 1 1/2f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon no extra
never better than mid-division
slightly upset in stalls, dwelt, kept on without threatening from under 3f out
towards rear, headway to chase leaders from 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear for most
dwelt, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace from over 1f out
Desert Romance has definitely improved this year and battled on well to land a handicap from a 6lbs lower mark at Killarney. He should be thereabouts again but Ceannline didn't appear to enjoy the fast ground when strongly fancied at Leopardstown after scoring on softer going at Gowran. KARDYLS HOPE is on her highest ever mark but looked an improved performer when touched off in a bunch finish at the Curragh earlier in the month. That was over 7f but she scored over a mile at Leopardstown in October and has no problems with fast conditions. Anam Chara, who won the opener here last year, was unplaced behind the selection at the Curragh but has dropped 3lbs and it would be no surprise if she went well along with College Scholar, who finished fourth. Takestan is better known as a hurdler but is certainly no slouch over the trip on the flat and could run well at a fair price but it would be a surprise if Akinspirit, who won four times last summer, had the pace to be effective at this trip.
Maybe Grace (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Prominent, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression straight, moderate 6th final furlong, 6th of 15, 8l behind Dilinata (8-8) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
Desert Romance (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd under 2f out, challenged under pressure and led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, all out, won at Killarney 1m hcp 50-75 gd beating Napa Starr (9-9) by shd, 15 ran.
July Days (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Soon chased leaders, 8th early, weakened from 2f out, 16th of 18, 13l behind Riobamba (9-3) at Cork 1m fll hcp 60-90 gd in Oct.
Putapriceonthat (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 14th of 17, 20l behind Mon Champion (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 50-80 gf.
Ceannline (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Raced in 2nd, 3rd under pressure early straight, no extra final furlong, 7th of 19, 5l behind Across The Rhine (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m hcap gf.
Kardyls Hope (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon prominent, challenged under pressure in 2nd over 1f out, soon led, headed near finish, 3rd of 30, 1/2l behind Musical Rain (8-1) at Curragh 7f hcp 50-80.
Chebona Bula 15-2 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden into 8th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 14, 5l behind Dark Prospect (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp (0-90) pol in Feb.
Anam Chara (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Close up and made much, strongly pressed over 2f out, headed and no extra from over 1f out, 17th of 30, 9l behind Musical Rain (8-1) at Curragh 7f hcp 50-80.
Miss Eze 25-1 (9-8) Close up, weakened from under 2f out, 27th of 30, 16l behind Musical Rain (8-1) at Curragh 7f hcp 50-80.
Five Two 16-1 (9-3) Dwelt and towards rear, headway to 6th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Otterstown Lady (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 pol in Apr '09.
Takeover Bid (USA) 25-1 (8-13) Led after 1f, headed approaching halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened, 12th of 17, 18l behind Mon Champion (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 50-80 gf.
Akinspirit (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up, 9th approaching halfway, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 14, 7l behind Sally Bawn (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
College Scholar (GER) 33-1 (8-11) Soon mid-division, ridden into 5th from 1f out, no impression and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 30, 1l behind Musical Rain (8-1) at Curragh 7f hcp 50-80.
Patrickswell (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led, strongly pressed straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 15, 8l behind Cul A Dun (9-7) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 50-70 gd in Apr.
Our Nana Rose (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and kept on without threatening from over 1f out, 11th of 16, 6l behind Hawkhill (9-5) at Limerick 1m hcp 50-80 in Apr.
Takestan (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway to led 3f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened from 1f out, 8th of 18, 13l behind Kilmannin (8-7) at Curragh 1m Apprentice Handicap (50-80) (3yo+) sft in Oct.
Cloud Fire (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, 7th halfway, kept on same pace under pressure from under 2f out, 7th of 15, 5l behind Desert Romance (9-10) at Killarney 1m hcp 50-75 gd.
Born To Excel 13-2 (9-4) Towards rear, progress on inner from 2f out, ridden in moderate 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Thistimesforgood (9-3) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-60 gd.
Kilmagner (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 13th over 2f out, kept on from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Inishtearaght (9-4) at Wexford 1m 4yo hcp gd.
