tracked leaders, ran freely, 5th halfway, hampered under 2f out, switched right and 9th 1f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, some progress 2f out and ridden in 6th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, progress straight and ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
led or disputed lead, edged left under 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along entering straight and no impression in 8th 1f out, no extra
prominent and disputed lead, ran freely, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner
slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden in 12th entering straight, no impression 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
pushed along in rear of mid-division, progress on outer into 3rd before halfway, ridden and no extra under 2f out, eased final 100 yards
held up towards rear, 11th halfway, progress straight and ridden in 5th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
mid-division, 9th on outer halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards
tracked leaders, ran freely, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
always rear, never a factor, detached approaching straight
Joseph O'Brien's presence on Storm is interesting as the former UK winner is now on her lowest-ever mark. Merry Mast is perfectly capable of winning this though he's been giving problems at the stalls lately which may have affected his performances. He still managed to beat Sister Slew and Stoichkhov when a close third last time and should confirm that form. Rockview Emperor has the beating of all of that trio on latest form but has a very poor strike-rate and isn't one to trust while Gold Tantrum, who has been going well over hurdles, has an even worse record as she's still a maiden after 28 career starts, which coincidentally is exactly the same record as Phils Wish. The latter couldn't go any lower in the ratings and must be thereabouts but a chance is taken with the lightly-raced MOSS NATION, who was returning from over a year off when a close fourth here in November and should be spot-on for this.
Thirteen Diamonds (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th halfway, no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 10, 7l behind Kimbay (9-6) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Dec.
Storm (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, edged left 2f out, ridden and no impression in 8th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 11l behind Twistsandturns (9-10) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Sister Slew (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride and held up towards rear, progress and ridden on outer 2f out, went 4th 1f out, no extra, 4th of 14, 5l behind Manorov (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Stoichkhov (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Twistsandturns (9-10) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Meihua (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) 6th early before soon dropping to rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression and swished tail from before straight, 7th of 8, 23l behind Irish Mint (9-6) at Sligo 1m 2f 3yo app hcp in Aug.
Basilica 50-1 (8-10) Rear of mid-division, pushed along in 12th entering straight, no impression and kept on one pace, 12th of 18, 8l behind Shukhov (8-10) at Galway 1m hcp 50-75 gd in Sep.
Rockview Emperor (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 14, 8l behind Manorov (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Sterling Cooper (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Very slowly away and in rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 11th of 13, 18l behind Alvar (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Gold Tantrum (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, no extra under 2f out, 12th of 15, 19l behind Oor Jock (9-8) at Tipperary 7f hcp gf in Jul.
Hard Times (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Dwelt, pushed along and swished tail, soon behind and pulled up, in a race won by Calm Bay (9-9) at Bellewstown 5f hcp 47-70 sft in Aug, 10 ran.
Moss Nation 25-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, 5th 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Twistsandturns (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Nov.
Phils Wish (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, 4th early, 5th approaching straight, 4th again 1f out, soon no impression, one pace, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tsar Paul (8-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Sea Adventure (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, soon no extra, 11th of 14, 12l behind War Room (8-12) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
Merry Mast (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Held up in rear of mid-division, progress on outer entering straight, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Twistsandturns (9-10) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Settle For Red (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Ad Vitam (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Nov.
