prominent, bad mistake and unseated rider 1st
impeded 1st, held up, 10th at 5th, some progress but no impression when slight mistake 2 out, no extra after
held up, 9th at 5th, progress from before 3 out, gained narrow lead 2 out, soon headed, one pace last
mid-division early, 7th at 5th, improved to press leader from 8th, soon on terms, headed 2 out, one pace when slight mistake last
slightly impeded 1st, held up, 11th at 5th, no impression approaching straight
mid-division early, impeded 1st, 8th at 5th, progress when not much room straight, switched left before 2 out where bad mistake, no extra after
led, slight mistake 7th, pressed from next, soon joined, headed before 2 out, no extra after
tracked leaders, 4th at 5th, improved to press leader from 8th, lost place and no extra approaching straight
tracked leaders, 3rd at 5th, slight mistake 9th, not much room straight, not match front pair and slight mistake last, one pace
held up, soon towards rear, headway from before 3 out, led after 2 out, stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, a little keen, slightly impeded 1st, 5th at 5th, slight mistake 9th, lost place and no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace without threatening after
prominent, soon 2nd, lost place approaching 9th and no danger after
mid-division early, 6th at 5th, not fluent 8th, no extra straight
Joseph O'Brien has four entries, all with realistic chances. Speak Easy is obviously well regarded having contested Grade 1 and 2 events since his maiden success at Navan. He makes his handicap debut and may prove best of his yard's quartet though High Sparrow wasn't at his best when beaten a long way into second at Clonmel. Monkshood looked a smart prospect when completing a hat-trick here in November but he's finished tailed off in his last two starts and is best watched. His stablemate Poli Roi didn't look happy on very heavy going at Clonmel last time but his earlier runs would put him in the picture though MOYHENNA looks to have the strongest form in the race. Denis Hogan's charge beat a big field at Punchestown and though unable to hold off Lackaneen Leader in a Grade 3 at Limerick, the winner went on to finish runner-up at the highest level on this track at the beginning of the month.
Monkshood (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened quickly 5 out, completely tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Chris's Dream (11-2) at Clonmel 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Poli Roi (FR) 11-4 (11-9) Held up, 5th from 4th, 4th and pushed along before 3 out, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m 3f hvy in Jan.
Speak Easy 5-2jfav (11-3) Tracked leaders in 5th, dropped to 6th on outer entering straight, 6th 2 out and soon pushed along, moderate 4th at last, ran on strongly run-in, reminders inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Hardline (11-7) at Naas 2m (1) sft in Feb.
Moyhenna (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway after 4th and led after 6th, strongly pressed 2 out and soon headed, under pressure and no impression on winner run-in, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Lackaneen Leader (10-12) at Limerick 2m 6f (1) hvy in Mar.
Mischievious Max (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway under pressure into mid-division 2 out, soon ridden, not pace to threaten leaders, 9th of 26, 12l behind Bleu Berry (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Mortal (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th before 4th, moderate 5th approaching 6th, soon closed, chased winner and not fluent last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 17, 10l behind Not Many Left (11-9) at Navan 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.
Massey's Wood 10-3 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outer, headway to lead 4th, joined 9th, led again entering straight and slight mistake 2 out, pressed approaching last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 3m mdn sft in Feb beating The Conditional (11-4) by 2l, 10 ran.
Best Behavior (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Disputed lead, ridden and led 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Uradel (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f sft in Feb.
High Sparrow (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) In rear, some headway but no impression 3 out, went remote 3rd before straight, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 5, dist behind Minella Fair (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 6f hvy in Mar.
Agent Boru (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, no impression from 3 out, kept on same pace, 10th of 13, 15 1/4l behind Kilfenora (11-1) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Ben Brody (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, headway on outer to go 3rd 2 out, ridden before last and no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Chateauneuf Du Pap (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f hvy in Mar.
Young Paddymc (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Led, disputed at times, in front before 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, won at Down Royal 2m 6f hcp hvy in Mar beating Benefit Of Magic (10-2) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
Castafiore Park (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Always prominent, led or disputed lead after 2nd, led from 6th, pushed along to assert after 2 out, soon clear and stayed on well, won at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Mar beating Lily Trotter (11-6) by 11l, 11 ran.
