tracked leader, 5th halfway, ridden and headway 1 1/2f out, progress to 3rd 1f out, no impression on leaders, kept on same pace
missed break, raced in rear, 14th halfway, ridden approaching straight, no impression, some late headway, never a factor
broke well to lead, ridden under 1f out, pressed closing stages, kept on best
towards rear, 11th halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden and lost place under 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, niggled along in 9th halfway, ridden 2f out, switched left 1 1/2f out, no impression, kept on one pace
rear, 13th halfway, 12th 1f out, ran on well final furlong, never on terms
close up on inner, 3rd halfway, under pressure and dropped to 5th 1 1/2f out, no impression, ridden 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, soon raced towards rear, ridden in 12th halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, dropped to 12th 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, switched right 2f out, dropped to 4th 1f out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders, kept on same pace
chased leader, dropped to 7th halfway, headway under 2f out, soon ridden, 2nd 1f out, kept on well, challenged winner closing stages, held
The race title says it all about this moderate bunch but something has to win and SMUGGLERS CREEK can help Pat Smullen pull one back on Colin Keane in the race for the jockey's title. Michael Halford's charge ran in a similar race to this over a mile here last month and only succumbed in the closing stages to Pure Action so can go one better. Peace Officer wasn't far behind in fourth but had every chance while Live Twice has had 19 starts without winning and, though placed four times here and having the best overall form, patience has worn out. Calypso Jo has moved from Kevin Ryan after a poor run at Doncaster though he did make a promising debut at Chelmsford so the Polytrack won't inconvenience him. Vanderbilt showed a bit of potential in the UK but very little for new connections so the main threat could come from Eadaoins Pet, who has rarely been beaten far including in handicaps on this track.
Peace Officer (USA) 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th 2f out, ridden and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Pure Action (9-9) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Sep.
Backstairs Bounder (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, behind 7f out, ridden into moderate 7th over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Youghal By The Sea (11-9) at Bellewstown 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Smugglers Creek (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ran free early, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Pure Action (9-9) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Sep.
For Real (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon towards rear, no extra from over 2f out, 11th of 12, dist behind Focus On Heaven (9-0) at Fairyhouse 6f mdn sft in Sep.
Hark 14-1 (9-0) Took keen hold and tracked leaders early, held up, 10th approaching straight, one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Focus On Heaven (9-0) at Fairyhouse 6f mdn sft in Sep.
Live Twice 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Muniza (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn fll pol in Oct.
Sally Gap (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Loaded without rider, soon close up, challenged and every chance straight, kept on without matching 1st 2 inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Covetous (9-0) at Fairyhouse 7f mdn sft in Sep.
Sheila's Hope (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 6th halfway, lost place and ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 20l behind Longing (9-0) at Tipperary 1m 1f mdn fll Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Vanderbilt (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 4th early, 5th into straight, no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 15, 17 1/4l behind All The Mollies (8-12) at Listowel 7f hcp hvy in Sep.
Bunnie Eyes (IRE) Byron filly out of Trendy Girl.
Queen Meave (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Slowly away, always towards rear, never a factor, 12th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Pure Action (9-9) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Sep.
Sobistabo (IRE) 100-1 (8-13) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 10th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Pure Action (9-9) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Sep.
Eadaoins Pet (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway under 2f out, pushed along in 6th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Quiet Company (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Sep.
Delegating 5-1 (10-0) Soon prominent in 2nd, dropped to 7th 1f out, no extra, 10th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Ojinjintka (9-3) at Killarney 1m hcp Yielding in Aug.
Calypso Jo 20-1 (9-6) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 12l behind Samarmadi (9-6) at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Jul.
Alpine Pass 50-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 12th of 18, 9 1/4l behind Goldrush (9-0) at Navan 1m mdn Yielding in Sep.
Dream Invader (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, 7th approaching straight, no extra from over 2f out, last of 12, dist behind Focus On Heaven (9-0) at Fairyhouse 6f mdn sft in Sep.