soon led, headed after 3f, progress to dispute approaching straight, headed 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden straight and no extra in 6th 1 1/2f out, eased final furlong
led early, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to challenge approaching straight, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
held up, 7th halfway, progress straight and ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, dropped to rear entering straight, ridden and no extra 2f out
tracked leader, led after 3f, pressed and joined approaching straight, headed over 2f out and soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
slowly away, towards rear, progress into 5th over 4f out, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home
Catchy Lass, Ned's Indian and Sharjah occupied the minor places behind the in-form Moonmeister a fortnight ago, though that was over 1m4f. The former pair finished 1-2 over this trip earlier with Ned's Indian just coming out on top but there's nothing between them again. Sharjah just got the better of Alvar over track and trip three weeks ago and should again come out on top with Donnacha O'Brien's claim but Rose Angel may continue to struggle after a massive 10lb rise for scoring here in November. EMPRESARIO should start at a fair price as he's yet to score on an all-weather surface and has been racing over hurdles and fences. He finished fourth in Sharjah's race last month but didn't get the clearest of runs and was staying on at the finish so, with Tom Madden's claim to help, he's given the vote to repay each-way support.
Ned's Indian (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Moonmeister (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Catchy Lass (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division, progress on inner into 5th 2f out, soon ridden, went 2nd 1f out, checked briefly inside final furlong, switched right and no extra close home, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Moonmeister (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Sharjah (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden in 6th on outer 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Moonmeister (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Alvar (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sharjah (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (47-75) (4yo+) pol in Dec.
Rose Angel (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Slowly away and in rear, progress entering straight, ridden in 7th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind The Dancing Lord (9-5) at Dundalk 1m stks (0-75) pol in Dec.
Rock Of Dreams (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 5th approaching straight, dropped to 7th 1f out, one pace, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Togoville (9-7) at Dundalk 1m stks (0-75) pol in Dec.
Asknotwhat (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Settled behind leaders, ran freely early, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, no extra in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 6l behind Elusive Laurence (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f 3yo hcp pol in Dec.
Empresario (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, some progress straight and 9th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 4th close home, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Sharjah (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (47-75) (4yo+) pol in Dec.
