held up in rear, ridden early straight, no threat and kept on one pace
settled in 6th, 5th 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong and kept on under pressure
led early, tracked leader in 2nd before halfway, led again briefly entering straight, ridden and headed 2f out, 4th and no extra from 1f out
chased leaders in 5th, 6th and ridden early straight, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression under pressure final furlong
tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, headway to lead 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner closing stages
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd early straight, ridden and no extra in 5th from over 1f out
reluctant to enter stalls, prominent, led before halfway, headed entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, 8th halfway, ridden early straight, 7th over 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure final furlong
rear of mid-division, 7th on outer halfway, ridden early straight and soon no extra, weakened
Paul Deegan was talking of running SHARALAM in the Alleged Stakes after he won a Dundalk maiden last month and this very progressive colt makes his handicap debut on a fair mark. His close third to Sharestan on yielding ground here in June has worked out well and there's much more to come from him. Ansaab was around the same distance behind Sharestan in the Lincolnshire here but was getting a stone so the weights greatly favour Sharalam today. Four-times winning hurdler Alazan might find one or two of these too quick for him but Midnight Music looked a real mudlark when winning two of her last three in the autumn so further rain would enhance her chances. Park Ranger will also enjoy the conditions as it was very testing when he landed a tough Listowel handicap in September and he's had a recent run over hurdles.
Park Ranger (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Towards rear, improved to chase leaders approaching straight, soon squeezed for room and stumbled, ridden into 4th over 1f out, stayed on best to lead from over 50yds out, soon clear, won at Listowel 1m 1f hcp hvy in Sep beating Star Links (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Ansaab 7-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, closed up from 3f out, led approaching final furlong, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Sharestan (9-4) at Curragh 1m Extended Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
Alazan (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, 4th 4f out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, kept on in 3rd from 1 1/2f out, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Midnight Soprano (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 1f stks sft.
Midnight Music (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and steady headway between horses from 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well under pressure, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp 60-95 in Oct beating Sun Disc (8-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Sharalam (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol in Mar beating Sli Na Fiarana (9-2) by 1l, 14 ran.
Gris Ladera (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Mid-division, progress into 5th on outer entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 16, 14l behind Apache Drums (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp 50-75 sft.
Massabini (USA) 20-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 10th of 13, 10l behind Vastitas (9-4) at Leopardstown 7f Handicap (50-85) (4yo+) gd in Mar.
Saratoga Baby (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, challenged 2f out, 2nd 1f out and no impression on winner inside final furlong, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Night Singer (9-0) at Cork 1m app hcp 50-70 gf.
General Bunching (USA) 13-8fav (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 7, 5l behind Shake The Bucket (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol in Feb.
