towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
led and disputed, ridden before 2 out, kept on under pressure from before last, headed after last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on same pace
led and disputed, hanging and reminders 4th, ridden entering straight, no extra before 2 out, soon weakened
soon mid-division, progress into 5th and slight mistake 3 out, 4th travelling well entering straight, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, under pressure in 4th before last where bad mistake, no extra
mid-division best, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
mid-division best, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra before 2 out
settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, slight mistake 4 out and reminder, ridden and no extra after 3 out
mid-division best, towards rear when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 10th 2 out, no impression and kept on one pace
always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 3 out, weakened
mid-division early, closer in 6th halfway, progress to challenge entering straight, ridden and disputed before 2 out, headed before last and no extra, kept on one pace
disputed briefly early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, towards rear 3 out, ridden into moderate 8th 2 out, no impression in 6th before last, kept on run-in to 4th close home
held up towards rear, progress into mid-division before 3 out, 5th travelling well entering straight, switched to inner before 2 out where ridden in close 4th, stayed on to dispute before last, headed run-in and kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and lost place 3 out, under pressure in 9th entering straight, 7th and slight mistake 2 out, no extra and kept on one pace
held up towards rear, progress into mid-division before 3 out, 6th travelling well entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, stayed on to challenge before last, disputed last, led run-in and kept on well
Simple Steps has been reasonably consistent though has been mainly racing over fences but all roads lead to THE CHURCH GATE (NAP) in this. He's still a maiden but has returned from a spell of chasing to be narrowly beaten at Thurles and Limerick and can run from a 19lb lower mark over hurdles. No More Monkeys has only raced on good ground and has a long absence to overcome while Phar Island is still a maiden after ten starts over hurdles and was beaten a long way into second at Gowran. Black Kettle didn't show much in the UK but gave notice of an imminent victory with a very good run at Down Royal last month so could provide the main danger.
Kristian Goingwel (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Mid-division best, ridden and no impression after 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 19, dist behind Morgan (11-11) at Naas 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Simple Steps (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Led, strongly pressed and edged left approaching last, headed from early run-in, soon dropped to 3rd and one pace, 3rd of 13, 7 3/4l behind Larry Capri (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m hcp sft in Jan.
Crehelp (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Jumped slightly right 1st, chased leaders, 8th after 4th, stumbled slightly approaching 6th, pushed along before 3 out, soon no impression, 10th of 12, 29l behind Bilbo Bagins (10-6) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Rebel Cry (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up, soon mid-division, 12th from 8th, no impression 10th, soon eased and pulled up 3 out, at Thurles 2m 6f hcp sft in Feb.
The Church Gate (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Mid-division, progress into 3rd before halfway, headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, headed on line, 2nd of 14, hd behind Be My Vinnie (11-3) at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Mar.
Artic Pearl 14-1 (10-6) Held up, 12th from 2nd, not fluent 3 out, 10th before straight, no impression 2 out and jumped slightly right, kept on, 6th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Mr Cosmopolitan (11-12) at Naas 2m hcp sft in Feb.
Black Kettle (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 4 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 18, 5 3/4l behind L'attesa (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 3f hcp Yielding in Mar.
No More Monkeys (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 3 out, soon joined and pushed along, headed before 2 out and no extra in 3rd from last, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Bertie Bell (11-12) at Downpatrick 2m 7f mdn gd in Aug.
Old Time Melody (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Tight for room when bad mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Clonmel 2m 7f hcp sft in Mar.
Phar Island (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, closer in 6th before 3 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, stayed on into 2nd last, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 14l behind Donegal Tuesday (10-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Alices Man (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 3 out, weakened, 13th of 18, dist behind Queeny (11-1) at Thurles 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Dr Zoom (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression before 3 out, 11th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Sunset Sadie (11-3) at Cork 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Ted Bach (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, slight mistake 4th, ridden 3 out, under pressure in 8th before last, kept on run-in, 4th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Sunset Sadie (11-3) at Cork 2m hcp hvy in Mar.
Bellas Rock (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3 out, weakened, 15th of 17, dist behind Cloudy Morning (11-10) at Clonmel 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Carrow Queen (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 6th 2 out, no extra, 6th of 14, 16 1/4l behind Be My Vinnie (11-3) at Limerick 3m hcp sft in Mar.
Glasson Lad (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Towards rear and 14th before 6th, 11th before 2 out and soon no extra, 8th of 16, dist behind She'llbeallright (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Irish Mustard 16-1 (9-13) Mid-division, rear and slight mistake 5 out, ridden and weakened, completely tailed off, 13th of 18, dist behind Returntovendor (11-5) at Clonmel 3m hcp hvy in Mar.
Aa Bee See 22-1 (11-0) Held up, 12th at 2nd, pushed along briefly 4th, went moderate 5th approaching straight, one pace, 6th of 13, dist behind Prospectus (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
