tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and pressed 2 1/2f out, headed under 2f out, no extra over 1f out
stumbled leaving stalls, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra
mid-division, ridden to close 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong to go 2nd close home
towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, challenged 2 1/2f out, ridden to lead under 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home
Absolute Ruler made a winning debut here then was beaten less than a length in a Leopardstown Group 2. He was nowhere near that level of form on a return visit here in October and needs to win this to justify a rating of 102. John The Baptist, who had made a winning debut at the Curragh, was around four lengths behind in that Leopardstown Group 2 though didn't get the run of the race. JUNCTURE is rated 4lb lower and receives the 5lb fillies' allowance. She couldn't match strides with Agartha in a Leopardstown Group 3 last July but the winner went on to become a fine performer at the highest level. The latter's yard is represented by In Ecstasy, who completed a course and distance double at the backend of last year though needs to step-up against stronger opposition.
Absolute Ruler (USA) 15-8fav (9-5) Mid-division early, 6th approaching straight, soon effort towards outer, one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Snaffles (9-5) at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
In Ecstasy (IRE) 2-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway between horses over 1f out, led over 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec beating Rene Artois (9-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
John The Baptist (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 4th 2f out, short of room briefly under 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Atomic Jones (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Mercurial (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Led, took keen hold and soon clear at fast pace, reduced advantage entering straight, ridden and joined 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 2nd close home, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Patrick Street (8-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
Morning Soldier (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Soon prominent, led after 1f, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out, 7th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Doitforandrew (9-9) at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec.
Angel Girl (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden towards outer 2f out, under pressure over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead at line, won at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Feb beating Ma France (9-3) by hd, 14 ran.
Juncture 2-1 (9-2) Raced 3rd, effort and ridden over 1f out, improved to 2nd final 150 yards, no impression on winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Agartha (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Jul.
Sister Bridget (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, pushed along to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb beating Sistine Madonna (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
