chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 3 1/2f out, ridden and disputed 3f out, headed under 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up early, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out
chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to challenge 3 1/2f out, disputed 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up towards rear, progress on inner over 2f out, ridden into 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, not clear run and switched out under 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on final furlong
disputed briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 3f out, stayed on to challenge over 2f out, led narrowly under 2f out, joined and disputed over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just prevailed at line
held up towards rear, progress into 8th 2f out, ridden in 7th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
dwelt slightly and towards rear, progress on outer entering straight, closer in 6th 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, disputed over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just denied at line
soon settled mid-division, progress on inner to chase leaders 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
soon led, soon 4-length advantage, reduced advantage 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out, weakened
Moonmeister won this last year from today's rival Spruce Meadows and don't be surprised by a repeat as he's 4lb lower and showed signs of a revival at the Curragh last time, as did the runner-up. Tandem completed a hat-trick of fast-ground victories last summer and will be better for his reappearance in a Listed contest. Dermot Weld has booked Oisin Orr with his claim and a big run is expected. Clongowes is better over a bit further but will be staying on at the finish and should be thereabouts. He beat Apparition over 1m2f last summer and the latter is looking a few pounds high. Alcatraz was winning for only the second time in his career at the Curragh last weekend but did it in style and a 6lb rise looks fair. Sea The Lion fought out a finish with Le Vagabond and Clongowes at Leopardstown last month and there's little between them here but the vote goes to LORD ERSKINE. He completed a hat-trick on testing ground last summer and has remained in excellent form over hurdles, completing a double last month. He would be better with some rain to ease the ground but looks on a good enough mark to continue his winning sequence.
Tandem 14-1 (9-5) Soon raced in 5th, closed travelling smoothly straight, challenged and on terms over 1f out, soon headed and one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind On The Go Again (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Clongowes (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, short of room and switched left 2f out, soon ridden, went 4th 1f out, progress into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind St Stephens Green (9-0) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in May.
Le Vagabond (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 4th approaching next, ridden approaching last and kept on run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Mezajy (10-7) at Wexford 2m hcp gd in May.
Ming Dynasty (FR) 20-1 (9-6) Dwelt, in rear, headway on outer approaching straight, pushed along 2f out and ridden to lead briefly 1f out, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind St Lawrence Gap (8-11) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Song Of Namibia (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division early, took keen hold and progress into mid-division halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind St Stephens Green (9-0) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in May.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and no impression from 2 fout, 7th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Aared (8-13) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gf in May.
St Lawrence Gap (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along approaching straight and no extra from 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 8th of 10, dist behind Rashaan (9-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hvy in May.
Apparition (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Soon raced in 4th, 3rd straight, pushed along 3f out, soon no impression until kept on well final furlong without getting to winner, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Constancio (9-8) at Navan 1m 5f hcp gf in Jun.
Sea The Lion (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Close up, 3rd halfway, ridden under 3f out, progress to 2nd 1 1/2f out, soon strongly challenged leader, led narrowly under 1f out, kept on best under pressure, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp gd in May beating Le Vagabond (9-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Alcatraz (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Towards rear, some headway 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left and progress between horses to lead over 100 yards out, quickened clear, won at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gf in Jun beating Kerosin (9-12) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Gustavus Vassa 13-2 (8-11) Dwelt, raced in 13th early, last approaching halfway, pushed along before straight, soon no impression, ran on without threatening inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Swamp Fox (9-7) at Naas 1m 6f hcp sft in Nov.
Moonmeister (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division, 11th 3f out, soon no impression, 9th of 17, 5 3/4l behind Aared (8-13) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gf in May.
Geoffrey's Girl (FR) 20-1 (9-10) Soon led, 4 lengths clear after 5f, reduced advantage under 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Decision Time (9-2) at Navan 1m 5f hcp fll gf in May.
Here For The Craic (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, headway under 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Adieux (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Lord Erskine (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Mid-division early, soon chased leaders, 9th from 6th, improved into 2nd approaching straight travelling smoothly, soon led, asserted from before last, eased closing stages, easily, won at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp sft in May beating Cerealice (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 20 ran.
