towards rear, headway over 4f out to chase leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 6f out, soon tailed off
made all, clear over 1f out, easily
prominent, chased winner over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 6f out, soon tailed off, pulled up
SAO MAXENCE made a winning start over course and distance last month and has nothing to fear from stablemate Bullion, Storm Nelson and Peak Of Beauty on that run despite carrying a penalty. Conor O’Farrell’s mount is difficult to oppose as Sporting Press was well beaten when falling at the last in a maiden point at Tinahely in November. Precious Cargo cost £35,000 and is by Yeats out of a winning bumper so wouldn’t need to be anything special to take a hand in the finish.
Sao Maxence (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Dec beating Derriana Spirit (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Bullion (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, outpaced over 4f out, kept on from over 2f out, 3rd of 12, 14 1/4l behind Sao Maxence (11-0) at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Precious Cargo (IRE) Yeats gelding out of Kilbarry Classic.
Sporting Press (IRE) 5-4 (11-11) Ld, mstk 1st, 2l adv 1/2way, jnd appr 2out & rdn, hdd sn aftr & wknd qckly to rr, held & tired when fell last, at Tinahely 3m mdn in Nov.
Storm Nelson (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 12, 21 1/4l behind Sao Maxence (11-0) at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Taking Aim (IRE) 5-4 (12-2) Ld, mstk 5th, 5l adv 1/2way, hdd aft 10th & nw 2nd, sn wknd quickly, to in 6th when pu bef 4out, at Turtulla 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov.
Peak Of Beauty (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along and outpaced over 4f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Sao Maxence (11-0) at Ayr 2m (6) hvy in Dec.