Ireland took its score to 11 out of 14 in what looked to be a moderate renewal of this Grade 1. The field bunched at the top of the hill with some scrimmaging, but everything was being scrubbed along into the home bend and they fanned out in the straight. Paul Carberry replaced amateur Gary Power on HAIRY MOLLY, who had done little wrong in winning two of his four races, each time showing plenty of stamina. Here he eased ahead going well halfway down the hill with more than three furlongs to run and, taking the shorter route, he galloped on strongly but was all out to hold Pressgang. The winner could take in the Punchestown equivalent but is seen as a staying hurdler in the making.

Pressgang gave trainer Paul Webber another heartbreak second in the race after De Soto last year. It was a similar story, as Pressgang covered every move in the second half of the race and looked to be going as well as the winner as they turned in upsides. Crucially he hung right and then had to move left as the outside rail narrowed the course. All this unbalancing undoubtedly cost him the race, as when he had the rail to run against in the final 100 yards, he was closing all the way to the line. The four-year-old was getting the allowances but there were no stamina problems considering he had won his bumper over 12 furlongs. He should soon be back winning.

Kicks For Free made good progress to get on to the heels of the front two as they turned downhill. He went down fighting but was held in the final100 yards.

Perce Rock still looked green on the back of one win in heavy ground, probably finding the ground plenty quick enough. After being niggled along to close on the leaders running downhill, he was back on the bridle and tucked in behind before running green around the home turn. He plugged on in the final furlong, befitting a soft-ground winner.

Dancing Hero had the advantage of an inside rail pitch and he was prominent into the final three furlongs but did not have the pace to trouble the principals.

Lord Over, who had beaten the winner last month, was another who could have done with easier ground and he did not have the run of the race. He was rushed up widest out turning downhill into the last four furlongs, but the principals quickened away as he arrived and he hung left under pressure in the straight.

Pangbourne does not look an easy ride, already sporting an eyeshield after being reluctant to race on his debut. He won two low-key races more recently and, facing a bigger test here, he raced prominently but hung badly under pressure, though he was not beaten that far.

Burnt Oak was hopelessly outpaced downhill but he did some strong late running down the wide outside, suggesting he is a staying hurdler in the making.

Wind Instrument ran well enough as he was stuck out wide through the race travelling strongly before being outpaced and another to run wide.

Wichita Lineman could not land a blow against speedier rivals. He edged closer under strong pressure in the second group early in the straight before his rider nursed him home. The good-looking half-brother to Rhinestone Cowboy, who was an unlucky runner-up in this race, can go on over hurdles with moreof a stamina test.

Equus Maximus was disappointing and his shuffling back when making progress at the top of the hill can not explain a tame effort, as he was outpaced throughout the last two furlongs.

Nightfly, who comes from the same family as Grand National winner Monty's Pass, shaped as a stout stayer. He looked booked to finish well behind into the last four furlongs but stayed on late.

Flowonlovelyriver gave himself no chance when flyleaping the tape and bolting the false start for a furlong downhill. Taken back, he was led in but then took off again to race freely in the lead before, not surprisingly, weakening. [BJ]

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