in touch mainly in 5th, challenged under pressure and led over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
led, pushed along 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon no extra and eased from over 1f out
prominent, led over 2f out, headed and no extra from over 1f out
in rear, struggling from 4f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, mainly in 4th, 3rd from 4f out, lost place under pressure when short of room from 2f out, kept on again without threatening from over 1f out
tracked leaders, 3rd for much, 2nd and challenged over 2f out, kept on under pressure without matching winner inside final furlong
in touch towards rear in 6th, closed under pressure in 4th over 2f out, not much room on inner and kept on same pace from over 1f out
Dermot Weld signalled that this race was the target for REACH THE STARS after the four-year-old made a successful debut in handicap company at Limerick where she battled on for a game success from Concrete And Clay. She's been raised 6lb but looks capable of winning from higher marks and will be difficult to beat. The Fonze is one of the most versatile performers in training and all disciplines and ground conditions come alike to him. He loves fast going and Seamie Heffernan will get the best out of him. End Of The Affair hasn't won as often as he should have but is probably on a decent mark nowadays having been placed several times from 4lb higher last summer and he's fit from a recent run at Leopardstown. Oneeightofamile was in excellent form over timber last autumn and has no problems winning after a long break.
End Of The Affair (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Led, ridden and challenged 2f out, kept on under pressure, headed under 1f out, no extra, 5th of 10, 5l behind Hawk Flight (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf.
Mubrook (USA) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway in 9th 4f out, ridden into moderate 6th under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 9l behind Donnas Palm (11-4) at Galway 1m 6f stks gd in Oct.
Splurge (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd into straight, challenged under pressure and led over 1f out, stayed on well to go clear inside final furlong, won at Limerick 1m 3f mdn stks sft in Apr '09 beating Uncle Eric (9-7) by 3l, 14 ran.
Mr Clyde (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, closer in 3rd 4f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 2f out, 7th of 20, 16l behind Fosters Cross (9-2) at Navan 2m mdn stks in Oct.
Hunting Tower 10-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 8l behind Hawk Flight (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf.
Oneeightofamile (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) 5th of 16, 6l behind Emrani (9-3) at Down Royal 2m hcp 50-80 gd in Sep.
The Fonze (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on in 4th 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead inside final 100 yards, kept on well under pressure, won at Tramore 1m 6f hcp 47-65 fm in Aug beating Wee Giant (9-3) by nk, 13 ran.
Reach The Stars (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Always prominent, led 4f out, ridden straight, strongly pressed final furlong, all out close home, won at Limerick 1m 3f hcp 50-70 sft beating Concrete And Clay (9-10) by shd, 16 ran.
