mid-division, 7th halfway, progress to lead under 2f out, ridden 1f out and drew clear inside final furlong, stayed on well
towards rear, never a factor, 11th halfway, switched right under 2f out and 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden over 2f out and soon no extra
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden to go 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, 10th halfway, pushed along and some progress 2f out, 6th 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear 2f out, no extra
prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression in 7th over 1f out, no extra
led or disputed lead, headed under 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, dropped to 5th closing stages
chased leaders, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 9th over 1f out, eased final furlong
prominent and disputed lead, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Only one favourite has won this in the past 11 years. Awtaad is likely to be among the market leaders after an impressive victory at Leopardstown and he's entered in the Derbys here and at Epsom. Restive may prove the best of Ger Lyons' pair after winning here in August though he couldn't make the step up to Group 2 company on his next start. Theodorico had run very well before gaining a deserved success in a Leopardstown handicap though has a bit more to do here. Party Angel is fit from a narrow victory at Dundalk while Newsman has improved with each run, though may do better over a mile. SPRUCE MEADOWS hasn't had much racing but has done well in two decent handicaps at Dundalk, after winning there in February, and has a race fitness advantage so gets the nod.
Awtaad (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress under 2f out and led 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 7f mdn gd in Oct beating Bravery (9-5) by 2l, 15 ran.
Mint Chai (IRE) 9-4 (9-6) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along on outer over 2f out, ridden in 5th over 1f out and kept on into 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Sevenleft (9-6) at Naas 7f gf in Oct.
Restive (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Port Douglas (9-3) at Curragh 1m Grp 2 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Sep.
Theodorico (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along approaching straight and 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and kept on same pace inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 7f gd in Oct beating Orangey Red (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Verbosity (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Led early, tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, travelled well to lead over 2f out, soon ridden to assert and 4 lengths clear 1f out, kept on well, easily, won at Cork 1m hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Dewdrop (9-2) by 4l, 10 ran.
Newsman (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, switched left and pushed along in 4th over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Gowran Park 1m mdn gd in Sep beating Mittersill (9-5) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Alaskan Son (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, improved to dispute over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 1l behind A Year To Remember (9-5) at Limerick 7f mdn sft in Oct.
Peticoatgovernment (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led and disputed, pushed along into straight, led narrowly over 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Nov beating Multiviz (9-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Hasselnott 11-4 (9-5) Disputed lead early and took keen hold, headed after 3f, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, no impression in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind The Mouse Doctor (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Feb.
Party Angel (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, edged left and progress to lead on rail under 2f out, pushed along 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, held on, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Feb beating The Mouse Doctor (9-5) by hd, 12 ran.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th on outer 2f out, 5th 1f out, progress into 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Ineffable (8-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb.
