chased leaders, led after 2f, headed after 4f, 2nd halfway, close up and ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, some late headway in 9th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, towards rear halfway, ridden and progress under 2f out, 5th 1f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on to 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, pulled up injured after 4f
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out
mid-division, 9th halfway, progress into 5th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead last strides
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on in 3rd final furlong, just held for 2nd
led, headed after 2f, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead again 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, headed last strides
chased leaders, close up after 3f, led after 4f, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out
Plenty of these arrive in good form including SHAKE THE BUCKET, who beat Denny Crane narrowly in this a year ago. The runner-up is much better off at the weights but hasn't been going anywhere near as well as the winner, who scored over track and trip in November before a close third to Gretzky over slightly further. The latter was returning to form after dropping to a fair mark and though having a 5lb rise to contend with should be involved again. He holds Fairylike on that run while Little Arrows could be a few pounds high after last month's success. Timjoe is 12lb higher than when beating Juara in November but neither the maiden winner Hoe Hoe nor recent course and distance winner Senyuman can be dismissed in an open handicap.
Shake The Bucket (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Led after 1f, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed under 2f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Gretzky (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Dec.
Gretzky 9-4fav (9-6) Held up in rear, last 3f out, soon ridden, 7th 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Dec beating Cullentry Royal (10-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Denny Crane 8-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 7l behind Solo Performer (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Mar.
Hipster 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, 7th 5f out, pushed along before straight, no impression from under 2f out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Ned's Indian (8-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
High Net Worth 25-1 (8-0) Mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 11l behind Marshgate Lane (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Fairylike (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) In rear, no impression from under 2f out, 10th of 13, 10l behind Ned's Indian (8-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Jpevie (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Cheers Buddy (8-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp 50-75 pol in Dec.
Senyuman (IRE) 3-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, got a slight bump early, improved to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, soon edged right coming in contact with rival, stayed on well to lead near line, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-75 pol in Dec beating Caged Lightning (10-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Hoe Hoe (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders and 6th halfway, progress early straight and led 1 1/2f out, ridden and edged left, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in Nov beating Sharlanda (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Home Secretary 13-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 5l behind Gretzky (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Dec.
Little Arrows (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Soon mid-division, 10th 5f out, went 5th under 1f out, kept on without threatening, 4th of 13, 2l behind Ned's Indian (8-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Timjoe (IRE) 2-1fav (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, challenged 1f out, headed last 100 yards, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Juara (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, 3rd 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Gretzky (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Dec.