held up towards rear, headway on outer halfway and 7th 4f out, pushed along under 2f out and 6th on outer over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
held up in rear of mid-division, ridden and closer 2f out, not clear run in 5th over 1f out, headway between horses inside final furlong, edged left and kept on well
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well 2f out, ridden and headway to lead 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden early straight and no impression in rear over 1f out
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along early straight and no impression over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
towards rear, pushed along approaching straight and no impression 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on one pace on outer inside final furlong, never a factor
tracked leaders, took keen hold early, 3rd halfway, 2nd and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression closing stages
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led 2f out, soon ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
mid-division, 5th 4f out, pushed along and no impression 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, weakened
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression in 7th over 1f out, no extra
Drakensberg has won four times here, including this in 2019, so shouldn't be written off. No Trouble has won the same number of times and though well beaten over hurdles on St Stephen's Day will attract support on his return here, despite an 8lb rise for his victory in December. Dare To Flare dropped back in trip to score last week and will be 5lb better off with No Trouble for a beating of just over two lengths over this trip in December. Dances With Stars hasn't fulfilled expectations though managed to win a track and trip maiden in November but Harriet's Force is 1-36, which doesn't inspire confidence. ANGEL IN THE SKY scored on Turf in the summer and here a fortnight ago and, though raised 4lb and 2lb out of the handicap, she can go in again.
Dalvey 13-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, weakened, 7th of 10, 8l behind Adamaris (8-6) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Dare To Flare (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Slowly away, towards rear, pushed along and headway on outer under 2f out, soon ridden and edged left over 1f out, drifted further left and progress to lead 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan beating Clueless Hill (8-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Dances With Stars (IRE) 9-4fav (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden entering straight, 7th 2f out, headway into 2nd briefly 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Adamaris (8-6) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
No Trouble (IRE) 50-1 (12-0) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra after 3 out, never a factor, 14th of 18, dist behind Sir Gerhard (12-0) at Leopardstown 2m mdn sft in Dec.
Three Comets (GER) 80-1 (11-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, 10th over 3f out, some headway but no impression 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening after, 7th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Raise You (11-12) at Curragh 1m 4f Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Top Line Tommy (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Towards rear, 5th when mistake at 5th, mistake next, not fluent 4 out, pushed along in 3rd approaching 2 out, on terms 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no impression in 2nd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd on line, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Young Fitzy (11-5) at Tramore 1m 7f Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Dartan 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, 9th halfway, progress after 3 out, under pressure and weakened after 2 out, 7th of 17, dist behind Howyabud (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Harriet's Force (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th approaching straight, pushed along and headway under 2f out, 4th and ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final 100 yards, 5th of 13, 1 1/4l behind White Marlin (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Scott Lang (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Chased leader on outer, headway to lead after 2 1/2f, strongly pressed and headed approaching straight, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Merroir (10-2) at Galway 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Drakensberg (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along and no impression early straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never a factor, 10th of 13, 8 1/2l behind White Marlin (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Angel In The Sky (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to press leader 4f out, ridden and disputed 2f out, edged ahead inside final furlong, kept on well under pressure close home, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan beating Lariat (9-8) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
