chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, 2nd 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra near line
held up in touch, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, closer 5th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near line
soon towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression
prominent, improved to dispute lead 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, dropped to 4th close home
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened
led, ridden and joined 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on well final furlong to go 3rd close home
prominent, disputed lead briefly and ridden 2f out, soon headed, no extra over 1f out
dwelt and settled in rear, ridden entering straight, 7th 2f out, no impression
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden along before halfway, went moderate 7th 1f out, kept on same pace
Sassaway has never won on this surface in a dozen starts but came very close here a fortnight ago when caught close home over 7f after leading at this trip. ENGLISH DEER lost his maiden tag over 7f at Down Royal then produced a tremendous effort when narrowly beaten by Nero Emperor in a premier handicap at the Curragh, form that would be good enough for this. City Of Culture has never run here but has been going well on soft ground and can reverse earlier Curragh running with Yulong Baoju on these terms. Both Copper Dock and Knock Stars are regular winners around here and can never be dismissed.
Yulong Baoju (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Waited with towards rear, last 2f out, no room on inner from over 1f out, no impression and kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Timeless Call (9-8) at Dundalk 5f lst stks 2yo (1) pol in Oct.
English Deer (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway into 9th 2f out, soon ridden, 2nd 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to press winner to line, 2nd of 24, hd behind Nero Emperor (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Almanack 7-1 (9-5) Soon pushed along after leaving stalls and driven in 6th halfway, no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace, last of 7, 6l behind Johnny Lynch (9-5) at Tipperary 5f 3yo hcp gf in Jun.
Sassaway (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden in 2nd 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Queen Of The Sand (8-12) at Dundalk 7f pol in Oct.
Grey Danube (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Stumbled coming out of stalls, towards rear and no danger 2f out, 14th of 16, 18l behind Regal Power (9-6) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 gf in Jun.
Knock Stars (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, 7th and no impression under pressure from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f App hcp sft in Oct.
Rummaging (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, switched to outer 2 1/2f out, ridden into 10th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 23, 2 1/2l behind Tylery Wonder (9-4) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
City Of Culture (IRE) 12-1 (7-11) Chased leaders, 5th 2f out, headway into 3rd from over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, headed and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f App hcp sft in Oct.
Copper Dock (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) In rear, ridden in last 2f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 6l behind Knock Stars (9-9) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Oct.
She's Not Simple (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, switched a bit from over 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong to go 3rd on line, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Sword Of Light (9-8) at Tipperary 5f 3yo app hcp gd in Sep.
