chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon no extra and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway into 8th 2f out, ridden into moderate 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened over 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, 8th 4f out, ridden and no impression 3f out, weakened
led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, moderate 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 3rd 3f out, ridden to challenge in 2nd 1f out, led final 100 yards, kept on well
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden over 2f out, no extra and weakened
rear of mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
chased leaders early, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression leaders in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led early, chased leader after 2f, regained lead over 2f out, ridden and challenged 1f out, headed final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
Three-year-olds have a very good record in this and are strongly represented. Sportsmaster and Sam Bass fought out a tough battle at Roscommon with the former just coming out on top but there's very little between them again. Trans City takes a big leap in trip after scoring over a mile at Killarney and running well over that distance in a Listowel handicap. Any one of the younger brigade could take this but FORCE OF HABIT has run so well on his last two starts, particularly when runner-up to Banksters Bonus in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal, that he gets the vote. French recruit Gretzky caught the eye on his first start since September at Navan a fortnight ago and should also go well.
Force Of Habit 11-2 (7-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, slight stumble over 3f out, ridden into 2nd 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed final 100 yards and no extra, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Banksters Bonus (8-9) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp.
Dundrum (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Soon tracked leaders, 5th over 4f out, soon 2nd, travelling well under 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from 1f out, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Zaralabad (11-12) at Bellewstown 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) hvy in Aug '09.
Franziskaner (IRE) (9-4) 98th of 16, 13l behind Croix Madame (9-4) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 4f 3yo hcp gd in May '10.
Gretzky 25-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, headway on outer from 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no extra under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Cry For The Moon (9-2) at Navan 1m 5f app hcp 50-85 gf.
Lancetto (FR) 14-1 (7-13) Attempted to make all, ridden clear entering straight, headed under 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Harriers Call (9-7) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp in Sep.
Tupelo Honey (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, struggling from over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Leah Claire (9-8) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp 50-80 in May.
Sportsmaster (IRE) 9-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, on terms under pressure over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead on line, won at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut gd beating Sam Bass (8-12) by shd, 12 ran.
Trans City (IRE) 9-2fav (8-8) Chased leaders, 5th and ridden entering straight, kept on into moderate 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Royal Blue Star (8-6) at Listowel 1m hcp 60-90.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure straight, 6th of 12, 10l behind Sportsmaster (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut gd.
Sam Bass (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, on terms under pressure over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 12, shd behind Sportsmaster (9-2) at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut gd.
Teajaybe (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 7th 2f out and soon no impression, 7th of 12, 11l behind Spin Of A Coin (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m hcp 50-75 gd.
Final Flashback (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Prominent on outer, 3rd approaching straight, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 7l behind Mountain Pride (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gd.
