led, ridden and pressed straight, joined from 2f out, soon headed, 5th from 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, soon 4th, still travelling smoothly behind horses 2f out, soon switched left, challenged 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leader, pushed along under 5f out, no impression from 2f out, dropped to 6th from 1f out, one pace
held up, soon raced in 7th, took keen hold, 6th from halfway, 5th under 4f out, squeezed for room early straight and stumbled slightly, 3rd from 1f out, soon no impression, kept on
soon raced in 6th, 7th from halfway, dropped to rear from under 4f out, pushed along from 3f out, soon no impression, no extra from 2f out
tracked leaders, soon 5th, dropped towards rear over 3f out and soon stumbled slightly, pushed along into straight, soon no impression, kept on again into 7th between horses 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong into 4th near line
tracked leaders, soon 3rd and a little keen, pushed along into straight, challenged from over 2f out, soon on terms, headed from 1 1/2f out, 4th from 1f out, one pace
in rear, headway on outer 4f out, prominent when edged slightly right early straight, challenged 2f out, soon on terms, led from 1 1/2f out, pressed 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong
Justforjames won between the flags in March then made an impressive bumper debut at Cork so has to go on the short-list, though that victory was over an extra half-mile. Prickly made a successful debut at Tramore before a run over hurdles then found 2m3f stretching his stamina back in a bumper at Limerick. ULTIMATE HORSEMAN was heavily supported to make a winning start at Downpatrick and did the business, even though it was his stamina that won the day. This is a shorter trip and quicker ground but most of the opposition is also likely to want further so he gets the vote. Nine Stiches surprisingly reverts to a bumper after a very good run over timber while Black Warrior is one to keep an eye on in the market.
Justforjames (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Raced towards rear, improved into 5th with a circuit to race, smooth progress on outer to lead over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f NH flat sft in Apr beating Just Georgie (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Prickly (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders under keen hold and 3rd with a circuit to race, improved to dispute 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Ice Cold Soul (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f NH flat in Mar.
Ultimate Horseman (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, 2nd approaching halfway, pushed along and on terms over 2f out, led from 1f out, edged left final furlong, kept on best, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f NH flat beating Itshard To No (11-9) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Black Warrior (IRE) Trans Island gelding out of Faeroe Isle.
Island Of Hope (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of Khazaria.
Naturally Blond (IRE) Bach gelding out of Thebigtwelve.
Nine Stiches (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Soon raced in 2nd, on terms briefly 5th, mistake 3 out, kept on without matching winner straight, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Casual Approach (11-12) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Apr.
Palm Sur (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division on inner early and pulled hard, headway to lead 4th, mistake 4 out and soon headed, weakened quickly entering straight, eased from 3 out, 13th of 18, well behind All You Need (11-2) at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy in Mar.
Shrewdoperator (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in 2nd, improved to challenge approaching straight, ridden from 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, last of 6, 19l behind Ice Cold Soul (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f NH flat in Mar.
