settled in in rear, ridden approaching straight, kept on same pace from under 2f out
tracked leaders in 3rd, niggled along into straight, stayed on well final furlong to lead near finish
soon led, attempted to assert from 2f out, strongly pressed and stayed on well final furlong, caught near finish
raced in 4th, no extra and kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leader, niggled along into straight, soon challenged and every chance, kept on same pace in 3rd near finish
raced 5th of 6, switched towards outer to try and get a run inside final furlong, stayed on well close home without getting there
Custom Cut has performed with credit in much better class than this but may just need the run as he warms up for the Lincoln at Doncaster. Akasaka comfortably landed a handicap over track and trip before stepping up to 1m3f and disappointing behind Steps To Freedom. He'll be fancied to get back to winning ways and is slightly better off at the weights than when touched off by CAPTAIN JOY in December but the winner is progressing at a rate of knots and is expected to confirm the form and take this. Campanology is also in the Lincoln and the former Richard Hannon inmate is no forlorn hope on his first start for Tommy Carmody.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Towards rear, headway straight to track leaders, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 1f out, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Precious Stone (8-2) at Leopardstown 1m App hcp sft in Oct.
Captain Joy (IRE) 6-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders, closer in 2nd and ridden 2f out, strongly pressed leader 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec beating Akasaka (9-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Custom Cut (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Prominent on stand's rail, 3rd halfway, challenged under 2f out, brielfy short of room, 4th and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Katla (9-1) at Curragh 6f Listed stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Akasaka (IRE) 13-8 (9-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden along and closer early straight, went 3rd inside final furlong but no chance with winner, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Steps To Freedom (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol in Feb.
Billyford (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, 6th 3f out, soon ridden, kept on to go moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Captain Joy (9-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Campanology 5-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and no response 2f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 9l behind Dubai Sunshine (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
