tracked leaders, jumped left and bumped rival 5th, 2nd halfway, headway to challenge on inner 2 out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd before last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, headway into 2nd before 8th, ridden to challenge 2 out and soon led, under pressure and kept on well run-in
led early, tracked leader in 2nd, mistake and unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, bumped by rival at 5th, 4th halfway, headway before 4 out and led 3 out, headed next and dropped to 4th before last, kept on one pace
always towards rear, closer after 4 out, ridden and no impression after next, no extra when jumped right last, weakened
mid-division, 5th halfway, headway 4 out, pushed along on outer before 2 out and ridden to go 2nd at last, no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace
led from 1st, pushed along 3 out and soon headed, ridden and no impression in 5th when mistake next, weakened
Paul Rothwell is striking while the iron is hot with the front-running Shrewdoperator, who made most and battled back when headed at Fairyhouse on Saturday. He comes here with a penalty and has never really impressed over this sort of trip so looks vulnerable though he easily holds Mister First on that run. BLUE EMPYREAN (NAP) also dropped to the minimum trip when scoring at Naas where he outstayed his rivals from the last. He looks a genuine staying type and a 6lb rise shouldn't prevent another victory. Ardmillan has a course and distance victory to his credit though that was over three years ago and he's still on a higher mark. Angus Milan stays much further than this so the likely strong gallop will play to his strengths.
Angus Milan (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Soon tracked leaders, 3rd after 3rd, soon lost place, prominent again 8th, no impression from before 2 out where collided with wing, no extra after, 9th of 12, 35 3/4l behind Sizing Titanium (11-5) at Navan 2m 1f hcp hvy in Dec.
Blue Empyrean (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Held up in rear on outer, slight mistake 2nd and mistake 5th, headway on outer entering straight, 5th and pushed along 2 out, ridden to lead at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Eiri Na Casca (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Stoughan Cross (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 5 out, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 8th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Capture The Drama (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
Mister First (FR) 14-1 (11-2) In rear, closer in 6th 5 out, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 5th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Shrewdoperator (9-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
By The Banks (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division early, improved to lead before 2nd, headed and dropped to 2nd from 5 out, pushed along and weakened from 3 out, pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Ardmillan (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 4 3/4l behind Trongate (11-2) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Shrewdoperator (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Disputed lead, led from 2nd, joined 5 out, headed 3 out, soon ridden, regained lead after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan beating Tongie (10-13) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
