led, ridden early straight, headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders in 3rd, close 5th under 3f out, 3rd and headway early straight, led over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably
held up towards rear, kept on without threatening straight
held up, progress on outer after halfway, 4th briefly approaching straight, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, 9th 4f out, no impression straight
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden to go 3rd approaching straight, 4th and no impression 2f out, 6th and no extra when eased 1f out
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened under 4f out, trailing when eased straight, tailed off
held up in rear, kept on one pace straight
held up, pulled hard early, some progress into 7th entering straight, no impression from 2f out
close up in 2nd, ridden straight, 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders in 5th, 6th and briefly outpaced approaching straight, 4th and headway 1 1/2f out, ran on well last 100 yards
Precious Gem stepped up on earlier form when a very good fourth behind She's Our Mark in a Listed contest at the Curragh though some give in the ground may be a requirement. The veteran Emmpat won a Grade 3 novice chase in September and also scored on polytrack at Dundalk in March so can never be dismissed but it's difficult to weigh up Curling Bird, who improved dramatically at this time a year ago on polytrack and will need to overcome a long absence. GIMLI'S ROCK appears to be on a fair mark as he is on the upgrade. He scored over timber at Punchestown last month and looks well capable of defying a 6lbs rise after a close second to Take It Easee here at the end of March. Bravely Fought shouldn't be too inconvenienced for a 5lbs rise after a convincing success at Cork just over a week ago when The Pier finished seven lengths adrift.
Bravely Fought (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Led, headed after 3f, 4th entering straight, ridden under 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Cork 1m 2f hcap gf in Apr beating Art Broker (9-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Precious Gem (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Soon mid-division, ridden into 5th 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind She's Our Mark (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks hvy in Apr.
Rajik (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway in 7th 4f out, ridden into moderate 4th 2f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Liszt (8-6) at Killarney 1m 6f ext hcp in Aug.
The Pier (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 5th entering straight, soon ridden, no impression from 2f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind Bravely Fought (9-9) at Cork 1m 2f hcap gf in Apr.
Curling Bird 5-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway to 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led last 100 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 pol in May '09 beating Not Til Monday (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Scandal Sheet (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, 16th of 18, 21l behind Aspectoflove (8-12) at Naas 1m fll lst stks gd in Oct.
Emmpat (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Tracked leader in 2nd on inner, smooth headway to challenge from 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f 4yo stk pol in Mar beating Dancera (9-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Horseguard (9-2) 5th of 6 Lone Star (8-12) at Clairefontaine(FR) 1m 1f stk sft in Aug '08.
Kevkat (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Towards rear, 12th entering straight, headway early straight and not clear run from 2f out, went 4th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Night Spark (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f Handicap (50-80) (4yo+) pol in Apr.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 5th 2f out, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Take It Easee (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 60-90 in Mar.
Maximo (GER) 7-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to lead narrowly and edged left 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Sugar Baby Love (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 50-80 gf in Apr.
