soon led, decisive advantage and stayed on well from under 2f out
chased leaders, no extra from 2f out
soon mid-division, well off the pace, some headway from before straight, soon 5th, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
waited with, well off the pace, wide and effort straight, soon 6th and no impression, kept on same pace
prominent, 3rd for much, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
waited with, well off the pace, wide and effort straight, soon no impression in 7th, no extra from over 1f out
dwelt and waited with in rear, well off the pace, ridden to chase leaders from 2f out, kept on well without threatening final furlong
chased leaders, 4th for much, 3rd over 1f out, soon no impression in 2nd, kept on same pace
mid-division best, well off the pace, no impression approaching straight, kept on same pace
prominent, 2nd for much, no impression from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Ana O'Brien gained her first success on board Fairylike here a fortnight ago though every yard of that 1m4f trip were needed and, with a 5lb rise to contend with, her mount may not quite have the pace for this. SARATOGA BABY certainly won't lack for pace having scored over a mile on his penultimate start. He couldn't quite cope with an 8lb rise over tonight's track and trip a month ago but looks the one to be on here. The lightly-raced Cottesloe is better than his two recent runs suggest and he'll get a good ride from Danny Mullins but Shukhov has a bit to find and could do with a drop in the weights. Foot Soldier hasn't run since October but is now on a very fair mark and the betting should be watched for clues.
Shukhov (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Chased leader, moderate 4th early straight, closer but dropped to 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Fairylike (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp pol in Feb.
Confidence (USA) 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders early, lost place halfway, no impression from 4f out, last of 13, 35l behind El Salvador (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Feb.
Fairylike (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Rear of mid-division, headway into 6th early straight, went 2nd 1f out and kept on under pressure to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp pol in Feb beating Benbecula (9-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Cottesloe (IRE) 4-1fav (8-5) Always towards rear, kept on one pace in straight, 10th of 13, 6l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Dynastic 12-1 (9-9) Prominent, lost place from 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Dimitar (9-7) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol in Jan.
Foot Soldier (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Parramatta (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (55-70) (3yo+) pol in Oct.
Saratoga Baby (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Atmospheric High (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol in Feb.
Silverlord (FR) 12-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 4l behind Salam Alaykum (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol in Feb.
Viva Diva 13-2 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden edged left and went 2nd inside final final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Badea (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Solid Air 20-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 9th over 5f out, no impression from 4f out, 13th of 14, 38l behind General Bunching (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Feb.
