Persian Return mid-division, 10th halfway, improved into 5th 5 out, 3rd 3 out, 2nd 2 out, led before last, kept on under pressure

Galway Legend prominent, led from 6th, headed before last, kept on well

Mullica Lad tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 2nd 5 out, dropped to 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on one pace from last

Mona Ri held up, 14th halfway, took closer order from 4 out, 7th 2 out, staying on without threatening when left 4th at last

Sangenesius chased leaders, 5th halfway, mistake 6 out, soon under pressure, no impression from 3 out

Feather My Nest mid-division, 8th halfway, 4th 5 out, 5th 2 out, kept on without threatening from last

Tippeenan Lass held up towards rear, some progress approaching 3 out, kept on without threatening from 2 out

Ballyholland held up, took closer order halfway, 7th 5 out, 6th and no extra from 2 out

Thats My Mare never better than mid-division

Cailin Go Maith prominent, disputed lead from 3rd, headed before 6th, 3rd 5 out, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, soon no extra

Boom Economy never better than mid-division

Voramar never better than mid-division

Alberoni mid-division, 7th halfway, weakened from 5 out, soon no impression, tailed off

Maristania tracked leaders, 4th halfway, weakened from 5 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out

Western Devil mid-division, 11th halfway, 5th 4 out, disputing 3rd when fell last

Premount prominent, disputed lead 3rd and 4th, 2nd at next, ridden along and weakened from 6 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out

This was no more than a very ordinary handicap chase and bears no relation to the prestigious place this race once had in the calendar.

PERSIAN RETURN stayed on well to land the spoils here having been off the track for seven months. Racing mid-division in a tightly bunched field, he gradually got into it on the final circuit, chasing the runner-up into the straight and getting on top at the final fence. In the end he was all out to hold the runner-up but was entitled to get a bit tired close home.

A wind operation since his last run seems to have helped the winner, and his trainer is of the opinion that his horses do strip a lot fitter for their first run since he moved to his new yard.

Galway Legend will get plenty of action over thesummer months and went close here under a very enterprising ride from Padraig Roche. Always in the leading group, he kicked a few lengths clear at the third-last. Once Persian Return headed him that looked to be it, but to his credit he battled back well. A reproduction of this sort of effort would see him win a summer handicap chase or two.

An encouraging effort by Mullica Lad at Kilbeggan last time was more or less reproduced here. Always prominent, he still had every chance before the third-last, but couldn't go with the runner-up when he kicked on three out and just kept on at the one pace from there.

Tippeenan Lass was never in the hunt and finished in mid-division. After examination by the Turf Club vet, she was found to be distressed post race.

One to watch for possibly for handicap chases of this class for the summer is former German St Leger runner-up Western Devil. Held up early, he travelled well to creep into the race before coming under pressurethree out. In fairness to him, he was responding quite well and still had a chance when taking a heavy fall at the last.

Voramar finished last but one and was reported to have scoped dirty post race. (JOH)

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