disputed, led after 1f, pushed along and strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no impression, ridden in 3rd final 100 yards, kept on one pace
dwelt and pushed along early, soon tracked leaders on far side, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
fly-leapt from stalls, towards rear, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression in 7th 1f out, soon edged right, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, challenged travelling well 2f out, led over 1f out and 2 lengths lead 1f out, kept on well
stumbled slightly from stalls, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
went right from stalls and slowly into stride, held up towards rear, 8th halfway, headway to 4th over 1f out, 3rd 1f out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th final 100 yards, kept on one pace
broke well and disputed early, headed after 1f, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, ran freely, 7th halfway, pushed along and dropped to rear under 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in rear, headway from 2f out and pushed along in 5th 1f out, ridden and went 2nd final 100 yards, kept on same pace, no impression on winner
Strong Johnson won this in 2021 off a mark of 94 but now runs off 99 on a first start for Denis Cullen. He's been absent since late October, when a decent third in Group 3 company at Dundalk, so much depends upon how much he needs this first run back. Master Matt and Measure Of Magic are struggling for form so this may be the day when BIG GOSSEY (NAP) finally gets his head in front after a frustrating run of placed efforts in decent sprints, notably when narrowly beaten the last twice. Harmony Rose is another consistent type who seems sure to be on the premises again along with Neo Soul, who will appreciate returning to the minimum trip.
Strong Johnson (IRE) 66-1 (9-13) Prominent early, led after 1f, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind The Highway Rat (9-13) at Dundalk 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Master Matt 11-1 (10-0) Unruly in stalls, dwelt and hampered at start, always behind, ridden and no extra 2f out, never a factor, last of 10, 9 1/4l behind Harry's Bar (10-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jul.
Measure Of Magic (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division, 8th on outer halfway, soon pushed along, ridden from 1f out, no extra, 10th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Pirate Jenny (9-3) at Naas 6f lst fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Big Gossey (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders in centre group, 6th halfway, disputed over 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed over 1f out, 3rd 1f out, close 2nd and challenged final 150 yards, kept on well, just failed, 2nd of 17, hd behind Mr Wagyu (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Neo Soul (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Prominent in centre group, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra over 1f out, 14th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Mr Wagyu (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Harmony Rose 22-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway under 2f out, 3rd and pushed along 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Erosandpsyche (9-9) at Cork 5f hcp gd in Jul.
Amirat Alward (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Disputed lead, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened, 8th of 9, 13 1/2l behind Ampeson (8-11) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gd in Jul.
Anatoli 33-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden and no impression in 10th 2f out, no extra, 10th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Neo Soul (9-5) at Cork 5f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Screen Siren (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, travelled well 2f out, 4th and pushed along over 1f out, soon ridden and no extra inside final 100 yards, 6th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Erosandpsyche (9-9) at Cork 5f hcp gd in Jul.
