mid-division best, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closed travelling well over 2f out, improved to lead over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
mid-division, not clear run 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra
rear of mid-division for most, never a factor
mid-division early, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon led and disputed, clear of field, ridden in 2nd 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear for most, never a factor
led and disputed, clear of field, reduced advantage entering straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway into 9th 2f out, ridden into 7th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
Obsession, a winner over the trip on Polytrack at Lingfield, returns to the Flat after three poor runs over timber recently. Akasaka scored on fast ground at Leopardstown in July and the handicapper appears to have given him a chance by dropping him 5lb from his latest run though he doesn't look as progressive as stablemate Spin Of A Coin, who was in good form on ground with a bit of give early last summer. Black N Brew doesn't win very often and has gone up 3lb for two decent efforts here last month so TAKEOVER BID, who has winning form on the surface and on Fibresand, is given the vote despite an 8lb rise for his victory at Cork under a huge weight in August, a race he had won the previous year.
Obsession (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Dwelt soon in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Art Scholar (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Akasaka (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd before straight, no impression 1 1/2f out, 5th of 6, 13l behind Brown Butterfly (9-2) at Tipperary 1m 1f stks gd in Aug.
Spin Of A Coin (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Settled in rear, no impression on outer early straight, hung under pressure, kept on well closing stages, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Dawariya (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 1f 3yo hcp 60-90 gf in Jul.
Black N Brew (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Billyford (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Romeo's On Fire (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Slowly into stride and in rear, never a factor, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 6l behind Mountain Coral (9-7) at Dundalk 6f Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Dec.
Belle Noverre (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, weakened from 3f out, last of 13, 9l behind Confidence (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol in Dec.
Devonelli (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, late headway into 8th 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Billyford (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Takeover Bid (USA) 16-1 (10-0) Made all, strongly pressed from 1 1/2f out, kept on gamely under pressure inside final furlong, won at Cork 7f hcp 47-60 gf in Aug beating Bonnie Acclamation (9-8) by 1l, 15 ran.
Tidal Star 33-1 (9-7) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 14, 9l behind Master Melody (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-75 pol in Dec.
Enigma Code (UAE) 33-1 (7-11) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, last of 11, 5l behind Farmleigh House (7-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Aragorn Icon (IRE) 10-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, no extra from 2f out, 8th of 13, 7l behind Elusive Ridge (9-10) at Dundalk 7f app hcp pol in Dec.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 7-2fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, late headway into 7th 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Fountain Of Honour (9-8) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Dec.
Piece D'or (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden and some headway on outer early straight, went 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 6l behind Master Melody (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-75 pol in Dec.
