restrained start and held up in rear, ridden and not clear run under 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden into 4th 2f out, kept on final furlong to strongly press winner close home, just failed
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off
made all, ridden and challenged 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong and drifted right, all out close home, just held on
held up towards rear, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, under pressure in close 3rd when hampered final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
The assessor appears to have taken issue with Alvar's victory here last week, raising him an astonishing 10lb for a narrow victory in a lowly handicap - he has much more to do here. Hold-up horse DIMITAR doesn't always get the splits at the right time though this relatively small field is in his favour and he's handed the vote to gain his third victory over track and trip. Aidan O'Brien doesn't have many runners at this time of year so the presence of Ahimsa has to be respected but Mountrath has gone up 7lb without winning which seems harsh. Rocky's Pride is running well enough but is held by the selection and though Pivotal Rock is well treated on his best form he's had a break and may just need the run.
Dimitar (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Slowly away and settled towards rear, not clear run under 2f out, went 3rd early final furlong, kept on same pace but no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Golden Shoe (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Jan.
Ahimsa (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Mid-division, no impression from over 2f out, 7th of 12, 4l behind Man Of Erin (10-2) at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in Oct.
Mountrath 11-2 (9-2) Rear of mid-division, 7th 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd 1f out, kept on in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Saratoga Baby (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol in Jan.
Rocky's Pride (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Akasaka (10-3) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Jan.
Cash Or Casualty (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th early straight and no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Enigma Code (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.
Pivotal Rock (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, kept on one pace from over 1f out without troubling leaders, 6th of 10, 5l behind Topadee (10-10) at Laytown 6f hcp 50-70 in Sep.
Silenceofthewind (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Towards rear and never a factor, moderate 9th entering straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 7l behind Enigma Code (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.
Alvar (USA) 7-4fav (9-2) Prominent racing keenly, settled back in 4th, headway into 2nd early straight and ridden to lead well over 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Jan beating Black N Brew (9-2) by 1l, 13 ran.
Yellow Rock (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 11l behind Balmont Flyer (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
