tracked leaders, 6th before halfway, pushed along from 4f out, still 6th 3f out, challenged and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 5th before halfway, 4th 3f out, attempted to challenge on inner when hampered over 2f out, not much room again from 1f out, no extra and eased final 50yds
soon mid-division, 9th before halfway, still 9th under 3f out, chased leaders 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, soon prominent, 4th before halfway, 2nd 3f out, soon on terms, led over 2f out, pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
soon mid-division on outer, 10th before halfway, under pressure from 5f out, 7th 3f out, no extra from over 1f out
tracked leaders, 2nd before halfway, on terms 5f out, headed and pushed along from 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, soon dropped to rear, no extra
chased leaders, 7th before halfway, 5th 3f out, closed 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up, 12th before halfway, pushed along and slightly impeded 2f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong
dwelt, pushed along towards rear, 13th before halfway, still towards rear when slightly impeded under 3f out, no impression from over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
held up, 11th before halfway, switched right over 3f out where headway into 8th, switched left from over 2f out, improved 1f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on well
disputed lead early, soon led, joined 5f out, soon regained lead, pushed along under 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra and eased from over 1f out
towards rear, 14th before halfway, raced towards outer straight, closed 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without quite getting there
disputed lead early, 3rd before halfway, still 3rd 3f out, no extra and eased from over 1f out
chased leaders, 8th before halfway, 10th on inner under 3f out, not much room over 2f out, not much room again 1f out and switched left, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, not get to winner
dwelt, in rear, pushed along at stages, raced towards outer straight, closed 1f out, kept on well inside final fulong without quite getting there
Fog Of War put a moderate reappearance behind him with an all-the-way victory at Dundalk but a 10lb rise makes this a very difficult task and third placed Defining Year has a chance to turn the tables. BALLYBACKA QUEEN (NAP) had been racing in very strong company before return to handicaps and gaining a convincing success from today's rival Theophilus at Leopardstown. She's been raised 4lb and the runner-up is entitled to get closer but Donnacha O'Brien has been booked again and a follow-up looks on the cards. Neverushacon appeared to find 1m6f stretching his stamina after his victory at Limerick while Papa's Way was well beaten on his hat-trick attempt at Sligo though that was nowhere near his form. Golden Spear looks on a fair mark and could prove best of the remainder.
Fog of War 11-8fav (10-0) Made all, ridden clear over 2f out, edged right under pressure 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol beating Wrood (9-9) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ballybacka Queen (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Soon close up in 2nd, led on outer from early straight, edged left 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp hvy beating Theophilus (9-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Theophilus (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, a little keen, pushed along over 3f out, 3rd 1f out, no impression but kept on into 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ballybacka Queen (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp hvy.
Urban Moon (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, took keen hold, headed from early straight, dropped to 7th 1f out, slightly impeded inside final furlong, one pace, 6th of 10, 6l behind Ballybacka Queen (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp hvy.
Tooreen Legend (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Settled 3rd, pushed along in 5th approaching straight, driven and weakened to 8th 1 1/2f out, no extra from 1f out, last of 8, 27l behind Zafayan (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp in Apr.
Queen Of Alba (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 4th over 2f out, under pressure in moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Pleascach (8-9) at Naas 1m 2f flls Group 3 stks (1).
Venezia (IRE) 10-3 (9-13) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, dropped to 3rd under 2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th inside final furlong, joined for 4th at line, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Fog of War (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol.
Defining Year (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Fog of War (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol.
Papa's Way (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Close up, on terms inside first half mile, headed from 3f out, dropped to moderate 3rd over 2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 8, 20l behind Ceylon (9-0) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp hvy.
Majenta (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, 17th halfway, 18th 3f out, no room and checked 2f out, no extra and eased 1 1/2f out, 21st of 22, 30l behind Clondaw Warrior (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp in Oct.
Neverushacon (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Chased leaders in 3rd, 2nd after 6f, close up 5f out, ridden to lead 2 1/2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Good Tradition (9-13) at Killarney 1m 6f stks sft.
Coolfighter (GER) 12-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, took keen hold early, held up towards rear, improved into 5th into straight, soon pushed along, still 5th 1f out, one pace, 7th of 10, 6l behind Ballybacka Queen (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp hvy.
Dalasiri (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Prominent early, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place approaching straight, weakened, last of 15, 23l behind Toe The Line (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf in Sep.
Golden Spear 17-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, 4th under pressure over 1f out, edged right and stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 3rd but not reach leading duo, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Dame Lucy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Strandfield Lady (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, headway to 7th 3f out, driven 1 1/2f out in 6th, kept on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 15, 4l behind Curvy (8-8) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp gd.
