prominent early, dropped to 5th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
always behind, pushed along from 5th, detached from next, no impression under pressure from 3 out
always towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, not fluent 5 out, improved into 3rd on outer 2 out, pushed along to dispute lead entering straight, ridden to lead before last, not fluent at last and soon joined, stayed on well under pressure to regain lead close home
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, soon ridden, 4th entering straight, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 3rd 3 out, improved into 2nd briefly when bumped and hampered next, soon ridden in 3rd, went 2nd again before last, dispute lead after last, headed and no extra close home
led, headed 5th, disputed lead again briefly 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
mid-division on inner early, headway to lead at 5th, bad mistake 4 out and joined briefly, jumped left and ridden 2 out, soon joined, headed before last, soon no impression
mid-division on outer, not fluent at times, mistake 7th, 6th 3 out, pushed along from next, 5th at last, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
towards rear, closer in 7th 4 out, ridden in 7th after 2 out, no impression
Noel Meade has won this the last twice so Gaius Marius is one to note despite disappointing on his only starts over hurdles to date. Lord Scoundrel proved himself a smart bumper last season and Gordon Elliott will have given him plenty of schooling while Colin Bowe's point-to-point winner Mells Theater is just the type his trainer does so well with. It was a surprise to see Redrobin dropping back to the minimum trip at Fairyhouse on Saturday after his very good form over 2m4f previously and a return to this more suitable distance should make him difficult to beat though MYLES AHEAD should have his measure at the weights on their placed efforts at Roscommon and is handed the vote. The four-year-old bumper winner Pack The Punch makes his hurdling debut in what looks a tough maiden but Zemario produced an improved performance at Gowran earlier this month.
Change The Rules (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, well behind If Not For You (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Gaius Marius (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Held up, 11th halfway, progress into 4th 4f out, ridden into 2nd 2f out, pressed winner from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Roi Des Francs (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 4f NH flat gd.
Know Not What (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and no extra, last of 13, well behind Grandma Dotty (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl gd.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, improved to dispute lead before straight, gained narrow lead 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Clonmel 2m NH flat in Mar beating Golan Dancer (11-7) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Myles Ahead (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Prominent and disputed lead, ran freely, slight mistake 2nd, led after 4 out, slight mistake next, under pressure and headed approaching last, no impression in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Jamesmicheal (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Sep.
Redrobin (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led, joined 3 out, headed next, no impression from before last, left 2nd from over 100yds out, 2nd of 16, 5l behind The Herds Garden (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl gd.
What Present (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden into 9th and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 16l behind Roi Des Francs (12-0) at Tipperary 2m 4f NH flat gd.
Zemario (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, progress into close 4th 3 out, ridden before next, went 3rd at last, kept on without threatening leaders, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind If Not For You (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hdl.
Pack The Punch (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, raced a little keen, 4th 5f out, closed up on outer 4f out, no impression and one pace from over 2f out, 4th of 7, 18l behind Sheamus (11-9) at Galway 2m 2f NH flat gd in Sep.
Pros 'N' Cons (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Held up, 11th approaching 5 out, moderate 9th and no impression from before straight, soon no extra, 10th of 16, 37l behind Circe's Island (10-13) at Limerick 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl gd in May.
Mells Theater (IRE) 2-1 (12-2) Tr ldrs, 2nd 1/2way, ld app str, kow from last, won at Athlacca 3m ire ptp gs in May beating Navanman (12-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
