chased leaders, close up from 4 out, disputed 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra before last
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd, ridden to progress after 2 out, stayed on to dispute last and slight mistake, led run-in and kept on best close home
led and disputed, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra before last
held up towards rear, ridden to progress 2 out, stayed on into 4th last, no impression on leaders, kept on one pace run-in
held up towards rear, ridden and some progress into 6th when fell 2 out
mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, no extra 2 out
mid-division, ridden into 3rd 2 out, stayed on to dispute last and slight mistake, headed run-in and kept on same pace
led and disputed, ridden to lead before 2 out, joined last, headed run-in and kept on same pace
Lake Takapuna finished runner-up at Leopardstown when last over timber and Just A Normal Day returns to hurdling off a decent mark, though last won over the smaller obstacles in 2015. BOLD EMPEROR is less exposed and, having gone close on a trip over to Ayr last time, John McConnell’s charge gets the vote to go one better racing off the same mark. Iknowwhereiamnow has run shockers either side of scoring at Fairyhouse while Whatsinthecorner has struggled since placing at Punchestown in December and Serious Ego remains 14lb higher than when successful at Leopardstown in March.
Serious Ego (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division and raced in 14th early, no extra straight, 17th of 22, 36 1/2l behind The Holy One (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Lake Takapuna (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Waited with, raced in 11th early, slight mistake 3rd, inclined to jump slightly left, mistake 9th, kept on same pace without threatening from before straight, 9th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Quamino (11-1) at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Feb.
Bold Emperor (IRE) 2-1fav (10-10) Tracked winner, led briefly 3rd, stayed pressing, hampered 2 out, hung left flat, held final 100 yards, switched right towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Apache Jack (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Roachdale House (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Waited with, soon towards rear, headway into moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 10th of 25, 11 1/4l behind Polished Steel (11-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in May.
De Mazzaro (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Waited with towards rear, took keen hold, slight mistake 3rd, headway and not much room after 3 out and after next, no impression from before straight, kept on without threatening, 9th of 25, 10 1/4l behind Polished Steel (11-6) at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Just A Normal Day (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Mid-division and 6th from halfway, good progress into 2nd from 3 out, pecked on landing after next, ridden in 3rd before last and no impression, dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Stoughan Cross (10-13) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp sft in Apr.
Whatsinthecorner (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 33 1/2l behind Gardens of Babylon (11-4) at Punchestown 2m Good - Yielding in May.
Iknowwhereiamnow (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders and 3rd from halfway, pushed along and lost place before 2 out, soon no extra and pulled up before last, at Kilbeggan 2m hcp sft in Apr.
Banjo (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) 5th of 25, 11 1/4l behind Manomine (12-0) at Punchestown 1m 7f Good - Yielding in May.
