chased leaders, dropped to moderate 7th approaching 3 out, soon no impression, moderate 6th and no extra from next
chased leaders early, impeded 1st. 8th approaching 4th, no extra from after 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent jumping, ridden 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
soon mid-division, closer in 5th approaching 3 out, close up from before straight, no impression from after 2 out, kept on without troubling winner into 2nd close home
towards rear, no extra from after 4 out, weakened, completely tailed off
towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, soon no danger, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, 4th approaching 4th, no extra from after 4 out, soon weakened, completely tailed off
soon mid-division, 6th approaching 3 out, close up from before straight, no impression from after 2 out, kept on same pace run-in and dropped to 3rd close home
towards rear, no danger from 5th, weakened after next and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader in 2nd, led before straight, went clear from after 2 out, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
chased leaders, closer in 3rd approaching 3 out, 5th before straight, moderate 4th and no impression 2 out
led, headed before straight, dropped to moderate 5th and no impression from 2 out
held up, 10th approaching 4th, no extra from after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Robert Tyner won this last year and, with his horses in blistering form, winning point-to-pointer Cuil Rogue shouldn't be ignored despite a moderate hurdling debut. Desertmore Stream is becoming expensive to follow but did nothing wrong when runner-up to Daliyan at Clonmel last month. The Engineer attempted to make all in testing ground at Down Royal and, though headed at the second last, stayed on well so should get competitive here. SIZING GRANITE is unfortunate not to have won a race and that can be put right here. He unseated his rider when there with every chance in a point-to-point and has been narrowly beaten in both starts over hurdles. He was headed in the dying strides by The Winkler here in January and compensation awaits. Winning point-to-pointer and bumper Moonlight Boy looked a real handful both before and during his hurdling debut at Naas where he eventually ran out. He's a talented performer and could win this easily if in the right frame of mind. Some Drama would probably have won at Wexford on St Patrick's Day a year ago but for falling at the last though a long absence is a concern.
Bold Optimist (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden into 6th after 4 out, no extra before straight, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Azorian (11-12) at Cork 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Cuil Rogue (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 5th before straight, no extra from 2 out, 10th of 25, 42l behind O Maonlai (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Definite Element (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Alw rr, 10th 1/2way & last frm 10th, cto last when pu bef 4out, in a race won by Emkae (12-2) at Affane 3m ire ptp sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Desertmore Stream (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Soon mid-division, slight mistake 1st, headway from before straight, 2nd from before last where slight mistake, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Daliyan (11-8) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Herecomestherain (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outer, ridden 3 out, no impression, 15th of 25, well behind Wedding Present (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl gs in Apr.
Meydan Classic (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Rear of mid-division, no impression straight, 12th of 14, 29l behind Beat The Ballot (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol in Dec '12 (flat).
Minella Tweet (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Towards rear, never a factor, pushed along halfway, moderate 8th over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong,, 7th of 11, 39l behind Flaming Dawn (11-9) at Tramore 2m ldy N H flat sft in Dec.
Moonlight Boy (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Unseated rider before start, led, soon pulled hard and went clear, jumped right 3rd and 4th, ran off bend before next, jumped badly right 5th and soon on extreme outer, jumped badly right on outer again 6th and soon ran out, in a race won by Authorization (11-10) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Red Lover 50-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression before 3 out, 21st of 25, 48l behind Drumlee (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl.
Sizing Granite (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge and slight mistake 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, strongly pressed and kept on run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 20, hd behind The Winkler (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl in Jan.
Some Drama (IRE) Evensfav (11-1) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd 4 out, improved to challenge before last, edged ahead travelling well approaching last, 1 length advantage when fell last, in a race won by Another Charm (11-5) at Wexford 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar '13, 13 ran.
The Engineer (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Led, jumped left throughout, ridden 3 out, soon drifted to wide outer, headed next, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Divine Rhapsody (10-12) at Down Royal 2m nov hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Simple Sums (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Soon chased leaders, dropped to remote 7th approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 10th of 17, well behind Asitsohappens (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
