jumped awkwardly and slowly into stride, soon settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders early, shuffled back to rear after 1 1/2f out, headway into 4th 1f out, ridden into 2nd inside final furlong and pressed leader, lost 2nd close home
prominent, close 3rd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th closing stages
chased leaders on rail, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, not clear run and switched over 1f out, ridden into 5th under 1f out, pulled wide inside final furlong and ran on to 2nd close home
prominent on outer, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
Eddie Lynam won this last year and GATHERING POWER is handed the vote as she will be straight for this. Her best runs were on heavy going so conditions won't be a problem nor will they be for Ballyorban, who got off the mark on his ninth start at Leopardstown and is just 1lb higher. Rapid Approach has been in good form at Dundalk and is 4lb better off with Your Pal Tal for the half-a-length he was beaten in December. Versilia Gal began last season strongly and though her form tailed off later she's on a fair mark. Eusepio got a soft lead at Dundalk a month ago and won easily but needs to transfer that form to testing ground.
Ballyorban (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Always prominent, 3rd approaching straight, ridden to lead narrowly 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, rallied under pressure to regain lead close home, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo hcp sft in Nov beating Newberry Hill (8-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Katchy Lady 8-1 (8-13) Led, strongly pressed and headed 2f out, no impression under pressure and dropped to 4th inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 2l behind Chips Are Down (7-13) at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp hvy in Jul.
Your Pal Tal 5-1 (9-12) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Have A Nice Day (8-1) at Dundalk 7f 3yo hcp pol in Feb.
Gathering Power (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden over 2f out, went 6th 2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Snow Queen (9-3) at Naas 6f 2yo prm hcp hvy in Oct.
Rapid Approach (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Led and disputed, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Elleval (9-5) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol in Dec.
Eusepio (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Keen hold and soon led, pushed along to assert from 2f out, clear 1f out, ridden out and stayed on well, won at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn auc stks pol beating Elusive Spring (9-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Versilia Gal (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden entering straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 8th of 11, 5l behind Victor's Beach (8-8) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Truly Madly (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Soon towards rear, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Harmonic Note (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp pol in Nov.
