led, pushed along entering straight, headed under 2f out, dropped to 4th early final furlong, no extra
settled in 5th, went 4th approaching straight, pushed along and no impression 2f out, 3rd early final furlong, kept on one pace
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and dropped to rear early straight, no extra
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong, kept on same pace
towards rear, never a factor, kept on under pressure from over 1f out without threatening principals
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead under 2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
The return to action of ST NICHOLAS ABBEY has been long awaited. The brilliant winner of the 2009 Racing Post Trophy hasn't been seen since finishing sixth in last year's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when an even money chance but is reported back on track at Ballydoyle and can hardly be opposed. That said the Doncaster juvenile Group 1 worked out very poorly and it would be no shock if Unaccompanied gave him a fright on her favoured ground as she has been in sparkling form over timber this winter with her superb second to Zarkandar in the Triumph Hurdle the highlight. Galileo's Choice hasn't had much racing and made a promising return here last season behind Fame And Glory and found the fast ground against him on his only subsequent start. Gift From The Sea easily beat a big field of maidens at Roscommon in September but this is very much tougher.
Mount Helicon 2-1 (9-7) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden in close 5th from 3f out, 4th from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 5l behind Don Carlos (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f stks in Oct.
St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) In touch, effort over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Makfi (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Waydownsouth (IRE) 11-2fav (8-10) Chased leaders early, 12th 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 20, shd behind Barack (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m hcap sft in Oct.
Cilium (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and no impression straight, 8th of 11, 14l behind She's Our Mark (9-7) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Few Are Chosen (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th 2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 11, 15l behind Separate Ways (9-10) at Listowel 1m 1f hcap in Sep.
Unaccompanied (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up, no impression from 2 1/2f out, 18th of 25, 15l behind Hujaylea (8-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Aug.
Galileo's Choice (IRE) 9-2fav (10-0) Chased leaders, 8th before straight, under pressure in 5th over 1f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 4l behind Vivacious Vivienne (8-5) at Curragh 1m 4f hcap gf in May.
Gift From The Sea 14-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, 10th approaching straight, good headway under 2f out, ridden to challenge and lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to draw clear, eased near finish, won at Roscommon 1m 4f fll mdn stks in Sep beating Dearest Girl (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
