dwelt and held up in rear, niggled along briefly early, progress and ridden 2f out, 6th 1f out, switched right under 1f out, stayed on well on outer inside final furlong, went close 2nd near finish
mid-division, ridden in 5th on inner 2f out, progress into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on close home, dropped to 3rd near finish
chased leaders, ridden in 2nd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, soon dropped to 4th and no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, never a factor
dwelt and held up in rear, progress into 4th and ridden 2f out, headway to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, all out
led and took keen hold, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, soon weakened
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
SHARJAH completed his hat-trick with the minimum of fuss two weeks ago and dropping back to this trip is no problem so he can defy another weight rise. Ned's Indian has finished behind him on his two latest starts and, though creeping closer in the weights, is likely to play second fiddle again. Cullentry Royal was fourth to the selection last time and this will be the shortest trip he's raced over on his 20th start. Star Links is normally sent to Wolverhampton, where he has a very good record, and his recent runs have been in better company while though Shalaman finished last when favourite here in November that wasn't his form and his best runs have come over tonight's trip.
Whipper's Boy (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Towards rear, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, no extra, eased inside final furlong, last of 9, 20l behind Snowmane (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Cullentry Royal 9-1 (10-0) Chased leader, moderate 5th, closer 5f out, no impression straight, kept on one pace into 4th final 150 yards, 4th of 7, 7l behind Sharjah (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Sharjah (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan beating Eye Of The Tiger (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Star Links (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Pulled hard tracking leader, hard ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 9l behind Maverick Wave (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (2) pol in Jan.
Shalaman (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards, last of 11, 10l behind Hardstone (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Maontri (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Led, pressed from before straight, headed from 2f out, 4th 1f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 6l behind Akasaka (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Ned's Indian (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Sharjah (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Coillte Cailin (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, led on bit over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Dana's Present (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) in Jan.
