CURRAGH 16:55 1y425u

All 22 ran.

Time: 1m 46.03s Closing Sectional: (3f): 39.85s (99.8%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 141%, Betfair SP 103.9%

As ever a big field for this contest, though it didn't prove as competitive as it should have been with nothing landing a blow from a high draw and a handy position imperative; that said it's hard to take much away from the winner, who travelled the best and quickly put matters to bed, leading home a 1-2 for his yard.

SRUTHAN (IRE) had something to prove after a disappointing time of it on the whole last season, though had been given a real chance by the handicapper and got back to his very best with an impressive success after 5 months off; mid-division, travelled strongly, shaken up 1½f out, quickened to lead 1f out, forged clear; handicapper will hit him hard for this, but he's more the capable of proving competitive back at Group level.

AUSSIE VALENTINE (IRE) back on turf, ran at least as well as last time in a far more competitive affair, filling the same spot as he had 12 months ago, this time behind a stablemate, but he was seen to maximum effect in a race where few got involved; led, ridden over 2f out, headed final 1f, stuck to task, no match for winner, big positional advantage.

GABRIAL'S KAKA (IRE) shaped as if retaining plenty of ability after 5 months off; mid-field, pushed along 3f out, headway inside final 1f, finished well; nearly 2 years since his last success, but no denying he's dropped to a very good mark and should remain competitive at least, particularly in these big-field scenarios.

LILY'S RAINBOW (IRE) shaped as if retaining all ability after 5 months off; in touch, pushed along 3f out, challenged over 1f out, no extra last ½f, well positioned.

WEXFORD OPERA (IRE) ran respectably after 4 months off, well positioned throughout, but entitled to strip fitter for this and is eligible for far weaker races; handy, ridden soon after 3f out, challenged over 1f out, not sustain effort.

DUCHESS ANDORRA (IRE) back in headgear, ran respectably, having every chance as this developed; in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on, well positioned.

ONENIGHTIDREAMED (IRE) 15 lb higher than when winning this race last year, shaped better than the bare result after 10 months off, finishing as close as he probably could have given how this developed; held up, ridden 3f out, kept on, never nearer, had hopeless task from position.

SPRING OFFENSIVE (IRE) after 5 months off, ran below form; mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one paced.

MOHAAYED gelded since last seen, had the worst of the draw on handicap debut and clearly wasn't seen to best effect; mid-field, off the bridle before most, one paced, made no impression, had a hopeless task from position.

IBERGMAN (IRE) was well held after 5 months off; dwelt, patiently ridden, merely ed beaten horses, unsuited by the way the race developed.

WITHERNSEA (IRE) ended last season on a high, but wasn't seen to best effect after 4 months off, having little chance from his position, the trip merely a side issue on the day; held up, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, weakened inside final 1f, unsuited by the way the race developed; will prove suited by a return to 7f.

LADY GISELLE (IRE) probably ran as well as could be expected after 5 months off; held up, made no impression, unsuited by way race developed.

MANDAMUS (IRE) runner-up in a handicap at this meeting last year, wasn't seen to best effect after 5 months off; waited with, shaken up 3f out, headway soon after, weakened final 1f, left poorly placed; likely to be much closer to form next time.

RECKLESS LAD (IRE) back on turf, better judged on previous form; held up, made no impression, unsuited by the way the race developed.

BOLD THADY QUILL (IRE) ridden by inexperienced jockey, was well held after 5 months off, soon on the back foot after a typically tardy start; slowly into stride, in rear, always behind.

VIVAT REX (IRE) back on turf, offered little; held up, never on , left poorly placed.

CAILIN MOR (IRE) was too free after 5 months off, proving a difficult ride throughout in fact, but ended last season on an upward curve and is worth the benefit of the doubt for now; in touch, took strong hold, pushed along 3f out, hung right 2f out, weakened final 1f.

ROMIAC (IRE) upped in trip, offered little after 8 months off; held up, beaten 2f out, left poorly placed.

RIVERS OF BABYLON (IRE) ran poorly in first-time blinkers after 7 months off; waited with, ridden 3f out, found little.

PRINCESS ALOOF (IRE) was well held back in handicaps after 5 months off; in rear, always behind.

NEBULLA back down in trip, ran no sort of race after 6 months off; in rear, off the bridle before most, beaten over 2f out.

ASHRAF (IRE) one of the least exposed, seen just once after winning a maiden at this meeting last year, was strong in betting on handicap bow after 5 months off, but proved to be a major disappointment, clearly something amiss; held up, ridden over 3f out, found nothing, heavily eased off.