prominent, led after 5 out, strongly pressed 2 out, joined before last, soon headed and kept on same pace
prominent, not fluent 5 out, 2nd approaching straight, soon lost place and no extra
tracked leaders, closed into 2nd 3 out, challenged under pressure and on terms before last, soon led and stayed on well run-in
towards rear, not fluent 6 out, no impression under pressure from after 4 out
tracked leaders, 5th approaching straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 3 out
soon mid-division, closed into 4th 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after next
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression
mid-division for much, 8th approaching 6 out, no impression and kept on same pace approaching straight
mid-division, closed into 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace under pressure from before last
led, jumped right, headed from 5 out, weakened approaching straight
Optimum Force hasn't had much experience but made a winning start in this sphere at Cork before taking on much better company at Punchestown. He can go well as can Emergency Cover, who produced a shock victory at Cork last month. However, RUDI TRUCKER is a prolific winner and was a much shorter price than Optimum Force when falling at Punchestown. He looks set for his 11th victory on his 21st start in points and over fences. Smiths Hill is a relative youngster in this sphere and looks the type to do better in time.
Rudi Trucker (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, good headway into 7th 6 out, ridden in 6th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Salsify (11-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hts chs gd, 18 ran.
Emergency Cover (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Always prominent, left close up from 5 out, soon led, sent on from before straight, stayed on well run-in, won at Cork 2m 4f hnt chs gd in Apr beating Optimus Prime (11-6) by 5l, 9 ran.
Optimum Force (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Led, bad mistake 8 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon no extra and weakened entering straight, 8th of 18, 49l behind Salsify (11-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f hts chs gd.
Biker Boy (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Alw mid div, 6th 2out, sow, 5th of 12, 20l behind On The Bridge (12-0) at Quakerstown 3m ire ptp gs in Apr.
Code Of Silence (IRE) 7-1 (12-0) Alw 4th/5th, nvr able to cl, held final mile, 4th of 7, 22l behind Kilmurry Kid (12-0) at Ballysteen 3m ire ptp gf.
Elms Star (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Rcd 3rd, cl up 2out, eff bef last, no ex late, last of 3, 2l behind Snowy Morning (12-0) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp gf in Apr.
Noble Chic 2-1 (12-0) Alw rr, nvr travelling, pu 10th, in a race won by Quelas (12-0) at Ballysteen 3m ire ptp gf, 9 ran.
Present Citizen (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid div best, mod 6th when pu bef 4out, in a race won by Up The Girls (11-9) at Dawstown 3m ire ptp sft, 8 ran.
Smiths Hill (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Alw pr, cl 2nd 3out, eff but not get to wnr, ko, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Commanchewardance (12-0) at Loughbrickland 3m ire ptp gs in Mar.
Verumontanum (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 20l behind Emergency Cover (11-4) at Cork 2m 4f hnt chs gd in Apr.
Arkwright (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Tr ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, no extra from 4out, pu after next, in a race won by Paddyonas (12-0) at Horse And Jockey 3m ire ptp gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Family Oficial (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, clear advantage from before halfway, pushed along and reduced lead when mistake 4 out, headed and dropped to 3rd before next, no extra and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 19, 41l behind Good Egg (11-2) at Down Royal 2m 4f hts chs hvy in Mar.
