held up towards rear, pushed along to progress 3f out, ridden to dispute on outer 2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders early, mid-division after 4f, progress into 4th 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, under pressure in 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra over 1f out
mid-division early, improved into 4th after 4f, switched to outer 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division early, towards rear halfway, progress entering straight, ridden to dispute towards inner 2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led and disputed, headed after 4f, ridden and no extra over 2f out
always towards rear, ridden on inner and no impression 2f out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, closer 2f out, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong
settled mid-division, travelled well to challenge between horses 2f out, eased into lead under 1f out, shaken up briefly to assert final 100 yards, easily
led and disputed, led after 4f, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra
Drakensberg took advantage of a tumble down the weights and returned an easy winner over track and trip last month. But the handicapper took exception and has raised him no less than 14lb. MCGUIGAN has a more manageable 6lb rise to cope with after scoring over 1m2f here for the second time in three outings since December. He’s beaten both Alcander and last year’s winner Sharjah in the process and is worth another try over this longer trip. With A Start went close in a maiden over course and distance before struggling over a shorter trip and Bibliotheca still looks high enough in the weights.
Tooreen Legend (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression 1f out, no extra and short of room final 100 yards, 7th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Park Row (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
With A Start (IRE) 10-3 (9-7) Mid-division, some headway in 4th and ridden 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 6 1/4l behind May Peace Prevail (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Feb.
Mcguigan (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Prominent and led after 2f, ridden 2f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan beating Stronghold (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
California Lad 16-1 (8-8) Edged left from stalls, tracked leaders, ran freely, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, last of 10, 6 1/4l behind Park Row (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
Alcander (FR) 12-1 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along outer early straight, ridden in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Mcguigan (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Bibliotheca (JPN) 33-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, bumped by rival after 1f, 5th halfway, driven along approaching straight, some headway 2f out and ridden in 3rd 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/4l behind Too Precious (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Elusive Exclusive (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and some headway under 2f out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 8th of 12, 12 1/4l behind May Peace Prevail (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Feb.
Machiavelli 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden early straight and 7th over 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace, never a factor, 7th of 12, 10 1/4l behind May Peace Prevail (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Feb.
Drakensberg (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Raced in 4th early, 5th approaching straight and travelling smoothly, challenged from under 2f out, led over 1f out, quickly asserted and stayed on well, easily, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb beating Magic Sea (9-4) by 6l, 13 ran.
Sharjah (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Led, strongly pressed early straight and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 13, 12 1/2l behind Chaparral Dream (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
