soon led, ridden and joined over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon no impression
dwelt, held up in 5th, ridden and progress into 4th 2f out, improved to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
held up in last, progress on outer and ridden from 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd inside final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd/4th, improved on outer to dispute lead over 3f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders in 2nd, improved to dispute lead over 3f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd/4th, short or room briefly and dropped to last under 2f out, soon switched to outer, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
This could be a question of whether ASHRAF is ready after a long break and if he handles the ground. He won with some authority on heavy going here in March from today's rival Boherbuoy and the form has worked out reasonably well so hopefully he can start making up for lost time. Los Barbados looks a big threat as though disappointing in the spring he returned to action with a facile victory at Wexford in August where first-time blinkers did the trick. Spin Point beat Van Schaick, who runs in the previous race, over an extended 1m1f at Gowran then failed to last out over an extra two furlongs at Fairyhouse while Chenega Bay has been staying on strongly over a mile so the longer trip is likely to suit. Neither Shadagann nor Vastonea are out of what looks an interesting contest.
Los Barbados (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 2nd under 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on strongly under pressure final furlong, easily, won at Wexford 1m 3f mdn Yielding in Aug beating The Last Marju (9-5) by 11l, 10 ran.
Shadagann (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Very slowly into stride, in rear, some progress entering straight, 9th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 5th close home, 5th of 15, 3l behind Hudson's Bay (9-6) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Boherbuoy (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress in 3rd 2f out, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Xebec (9-1) at Killarney 1m 3f hcp gd in Aug.
Vastonea (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Held up, 16th early, pushed along halfway, 20th 3f out, soon no impression, 16th of 21, 9 3/4l behind Torcedor (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
Chenega Bay 9-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, shared 4th at line, 4th of 15, 1 3/4l behind Fit For The Job (9-10) at Curragh 1m hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Spin Point (IRE) 9-2fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and progress to dispute under 2f out, headed 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Hudson's Bay (9-6) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Sep.
Ashraf (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3f out, challenged 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m mdn hvy in Mar beating Boherbuoy (9-5) by 4 3/4l, 16 ran.
