led, ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, no extra
in rear, ridden in moderate 8th 2f out, kept on one paced final furlong
always prominent, 2nd on outer 2f out, soon ridden, led under 1f out, joined close home, headed near finish
slowly into stride and always in rear, no impression straight, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden entering straight, soon weakened
prominent, ridden entering straight, dropped to 4th 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd on inner 2f out, close 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, raced behind leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no impression
held up behind leaders, ridden in 6th on outer 2f out, went close 3rd 1f out, disputed lead close home, stayed on well to lead near finish
Rookie handler John Fearn has placed Strategic Heights brilliantly to complete a hat-trick but the signs are that the five-year-old has reached the end of the line for now. He had CATWILLDO a couple of lengths behind in February when rated 10lb lower and he's now 16lb higher. The latter doesn't win often but has since run another very good race and should gain her revenge. Queen Grace was rated 11lb higher than Strategic Heights when beaten less than a length in February and is just 6lb higher this time and also has the benefit of Gary Halpin's claim. The three-year-old Chiclet hasn't won yet but that should be soon put right as she was only beaten a short-head over 6f here in December before finding an extra furlong beyond her. More Questions improved on Turf throughout last summer though hasn't been seen since October.
Queen Grace (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Led narrowly on inner, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed 2f out, kept on in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Strategic Heights (8-3) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb.
More Questions (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Soon towards rear, headway under pressure on outer into 6th over 1f out, led and stayed on well closing stages, won at Navan 5f App hcp sft in Oct beating City Of Culture (7-11) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Strategic Heights (IRE) 9-2 (8-3) Chased leaders on inner, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb beating Queen Grace (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Miss Forde (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, niggled along in 5th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, weakened, last of 9, 21l behind Manalapan (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug.
All Ablaze (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Chased leaders early, ridden entering straight, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 10l behind Strategic Heights (8-3) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb.
Patrickswell (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened, last of 17, 33l behind Sophisticated Heir (8-11) at Leopardstown 7f in Mar.
Chiclet (IRE) 9-4fav (8-7) Took keen hold early and chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, pressed leader briefly over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Shanooan (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn fll pol in Jan.
Ability N Delivery 33-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, 4th 2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Strategic Heights (8-3) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb.
Catwilldo (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Tracked leader and 2nd halfway, progress to lead 1f out, under pressure inside final furlong and edged left, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Boughtforasong (8-8) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Mar.
