chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders on inner, effort when short of room under 2f out, checked 1 1/2f out and again 1f out, not recover inside final furlong
held up towards rear, 11th and short of room briefly 2f out, soon ridden, headway into 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened
led, headed halfway, soon ridden, disputed lead briefly 2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
dwelt and in rear, hard ridden in last before halfway, switched to outer under 2f out, plenty to do in 10th on outer 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to go 2nd close home
dwelt and held up in rear, ridden and closer in 9th 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, 2nd halfway, disputed lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed under 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, 7th travelling well 2f out, improved into 2nd and ridden 1f out, led under 1f out, soon clear and stayed on well close home
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, some late progress final furlong
SRUCAHAN won this a year ago and though he didn't win again he rarely had the very testing conditions he needs. He's dropped to a fair mark as a consequence and is handed the vote to complete the double. Sassaway began last year on a mark of 47 and ended the campaign almost 40lb higher. She hasn't run since November but is an obvious threat if ready. Master Speaker finished runner-up in a maiden on this card a year ago when trained by Aidan O'Brien but has only run twice subsequently and makes his handicap debut from a high enough mark. Great Minds' second to Shipyard in a Navan maiden was a good effort and though beaten when sent to Redcar for his final run he could hardly be on a much lower mark and won't mind the ground. Sun On The Run made a winning debut on very heavy ground at Cork a year ago so won't mind the conditions though he hasn't been seen since May.
Bubbly Bellini (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Settled in mid-division, some headway early straight and 6th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 5l behind Francis Of Assisi (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Master Speaker (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Tracked leader and 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, last of 3, 1/2l behind Rummaging (9-12) at Dundalk 6f 3yo stks pol.
Sun On The Run (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden in 5th over 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 12l behind Leading Light (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo stk in May.
Caprella 8-1 (9-10) Waited with, 7th before halfway, raced towards outer straight, no extra and eased from 1f out, last of 10, 17l behind Seanie (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Allegra Tak (ITY) 50-1 (9-1) Led, strongly pressed early straight and headed 1f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 12l behind Francis Of Assisi (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Sassaway (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Prominent, improved to dispute lead 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind English Deer (9-5) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Srucahan (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Towards rear and 12th halfway, ridden over 1f out and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Greek Canyon (9-11) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Oct.
Knock Stars (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Dwelt and towards rear, 7th halfway, progress early straight and 3rd 1f out, ridden and no impression when short of room final 150 yards, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lottie Dod (9-6) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol.
Seal Rock 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, never a factor, 17th of 24, 9l behind Nero Emperor (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Ask Dad 11-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Fastidious (9-6) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Feb.
Great Minds (IRE) Evensfav (9-5) Steadied and went left start, held up in rear, headway near side over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, strong challenge under pressure in closing stages, always held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Adiator (8-10) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) sft in Oct.
Kanes Pass (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, 8th of 14, 7l behind Under Review (9-8) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
English Deer (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Held up in touch, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, closer 5th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near line, won at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov beating Yulong Baoju (9-12) by shd, 10 ran.
