soon mid-division, moderate 6th 5 out, a little closer under pressure before 3 out, no impression and kept on from next
waited with until progress to be prominent from 6 out, 4th before 3 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 3rd before 3 out, challenged in 2nd at next, struggling to get there when mistake last, kept on same pace run-in
prominent, some slightly slow jumps, ridden after 4 out, on terms approaching 3 out, soon led, pressed 2 out, gained upper hand when mistake last, kept on well run-in
soon tracked leaders, not always fluent, lost place from before 7th, niggled along next, soon no impression
soon tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon lost place, 7th before 3 out, kept on same pace
keen hold, prominent, no extra after 6 out, pulled up before next
soon led, joined approaching 3 out, soon headed, dropped to 3rd and no extra next, kept on same pace
chased leaders, moderate 7th approaching 5 out, soon no impression, mistake and unseated rider next
towards rear, went 8th before 3 out, kept on well under pressure without threatening from next
soon mid-division, improved under pressure to chase leaders before 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
towards rear, niggled along 8th, trailing 4 out and pulled up before 2 out
soon mid-division, mistake 6 out, lost place, soon no impression and kept on same pace
always towards rear, never a factor
Passage Vendome will be popular in view of connections but has never been further than two miles and we'll pass him over on this occasion with the trip a venture into the unknown. In contrast, WHISPERING HILLS is fully effective over both three miles and on soft ground and the Dessie Hughes' inmate is taken to supplement recent smooth Tipperary gains when looking to score with something in hand. Gray Hession landed a Cartmel contest last time, battling on well, and seems sure to improve with just a couple of hurdling outings to his name, although he's another who looks best suited by quicker conditions than he'll get here. The consistent Rising Time is also respected but his best has arrived on good ground too, likewise Dark Raven, much improved when scoring last time at Killarney.
Dark Raven 20-1 (10-13) Soon mid-division, closed into 6th before 3 out, ridden to chase leader from next, gained narrow lead and stayed on well late run-in, won at Killarney 2m 6f mdn hdl gd in May beating Shrapnel (11-4) by hd, 16 ran.
Gray Hession (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Held up in 5th, hit 2nd, not fluent 8th, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating An Capall Mor (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Passage Vendome (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Disputed early, carried wide and headed before 2nd, 2nd halfway, led entering straight, ridden and pressed approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gd in May beating Buy Back Bob (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 22 ran.
Whispering Hills (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, closed up from before 4 out, on terms into straight, not fluent 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Tipperary 3m mdn hdl sft beating Flaming Hymn (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Dark Vagabond (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Prominent early, lost place halfway, weakened 6 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Prince Of Milan (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-123) (4yo+) gd in May, 18 ran.
Good Time In Milan (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd before 3 out and soon led, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gf beating Pestal And Mortar (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
One Direction (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 4 out, 12th of 21, 34l behind Frawley (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl gd in Sep.
Rising Time (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd and challenged from 2 out, every chance and slightly hampered run-in, kept on without matching winner near finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Clarach (11-6) at Sligo 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in May.
Shannon Fall (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Chsd dlrs, 4th from 7th, wknd 4out, sn no ex pu bef last, in a race won by Foreverpresenting (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp, 13 ran.
Akatara (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 6 out and soon struggling, kept on same pace, 8th of 15, 31l behind Court Lexi (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl gd in May.
Bourbon Ellie (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Mid div, 8th aftr a mile, mod 7th 2out & prog off pace in 4th well bef last, ko, 4th of 12, 20l behind Hoopy (12-0) at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp.
Come On Ub (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Twrds rr, kow late, 4th of 12, 12l behind Red Mag (12-0) at Stradbally 3m ire ptp gf in Apr.
Hang On Groovy (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 15, 27l behind Hevelius (10-10) at Clonmel 2m hcp hdl 80-109 sft.
Killones Lady Vic (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Alw rr, mod 12th 1/2way, mod 12th 6out, to from 4out, cto when pu aftr 3out, in a race won by Tisonlyme (10-13) at Ballybunion 3m ire ptp gd in May, 14 ran.
Coffey's Pub (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Crocus Bay (11-4) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl gf in May.
