chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 2f out, no extra, kept on one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed under 2f out, soon no extra, weakened, eased inside final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led under 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, no extra and headed close home
towards rear, 10th halfway, never a factor, no impression in 9th over 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd 150 yards out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along over 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra, eased inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, some progress on outer 2f out, ridden and no impression in 7th over 1f out, soon no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, soon pushed along, ridden and no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
held up in rear, 11th halfway, progress between horses 2f out, ridden to go 2nd 150 yards out, kept on well to lead close home
This was won by a 100/1 chance last year and favourites have a poor record. Abbey Angel won a couple of Wolverhampton handicaps in the early part of the year and she's the only entry with guaranteed race fitness. But FLUFF, a sister to Moyglare winner Maybe, won her maiden in very impressive fashion at Navan last April and a Group 1 entry suggests better is expected of her this campaign. She gets the nod in an interesting race in which the Listed winner Devonshire will attract support, especially if there is any more rain. Joailliere made a successful debut at Gowran last April then ran reasonably well in the 1000 Guineas here a month later but hasn't been seen subsequently. Kevin Manning's presence on board Glamorous Approach suggests she's the more forward of Jim Bolger's pair and she made a winning start to her career last summer but all of Queen Catrine's three victories have come on fast ground. Kieren Fallon has a couple of rides for local handler Michael O'Callaghan today and Military Angel is no forlorn hope after a close second in a Listed contest at Tipperary on soft ground in August.
Abbey Angel (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led 1f, tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, one pace entering final furlong, 4th of 6, 4l behind Revolutionist (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Corail (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Brendan Brackan (9-7) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Devonshire (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Boxed in str,rallied, 7th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Curvy (8-7) at Woodbine 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Elusive Approach (IRE) New Approach filly out of Soilse Na Cathrach.
Fluff (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Soon mid-division, 9th early, travelled smoothly to challenge under 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Navan 1m mdn fll Yielding in Apr beating Natural Woman (9-0) by 4 3/4l, 16 ran.
Joailliere (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, soon 9th, still 9th 3f out, soon pushed along and slightly impeded, still chasing leaders 1f out, kept on same pace, 9th of 18, 6 1/4l behind Pleascach (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 fll (1) gd in May.
Military Angel (USA) 25-1 (9-0) In rear, one pace under pressure straight, 8th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Legatissimo (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 1 fll stks (1) Yielding in Sep.
Queen Catrine (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Went slightly left from stalls, tracked leader on inner, 3rd halfway, switched to outer entering straight, improved to challenge from 2f out and pushed along to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Naas 1m lst fll stks (1) gf in Oct beating Assume (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Steip Amach (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and led briefly under 2f out, under pressure and kept on one pace, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 2l behind Sovereign Debt (9-12) at Leopardstown 7f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Glamorous Approach (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always prominent, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Oct beating Landofhopeandglory (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Queen Blossom (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along under 2f out and 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Moonlight Magic (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 1f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
