held up, closer in 5th before halfway, closed to dispute 3rd from 2f out, no impression and kept on final furlong to go 2nd close home
held up, soon in 5th, 6th before halfway, pushed along on outer into straight, no extra from under 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, soon 2nd, challenged 2f out, led and drifted left briefly 1f out, pushed out and stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably
prominent, soon 3rd, dropped to 5th from 2f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, disputed 3rd from 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
soon in rear and pushed along, trailing throughout, never a factor
led, pressed 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace and dropped to 3rd close home
High Expectations finished last of three on his debut a fortnight ago beaten 15l. Lone Star couldn't quite hold the late burst of the odds-on Not Your Call a month ago and the winner is engaged in the previous race. Osuileabhain was 12l behind and though doing slightly better since is hardly likely to reverse the form. Shinyhappyjohn was well behind the latter three weeks ago when Scooping was also well beaten. The superbly-bred FLARE OF FIRELIGHT looked in need of the experience on her debut here in December but did well enough in a fillies' maiden to suggest she'll be difficult to beat and is given the nod. Bobby's Heart has missed several engagements over the past weeks so should be fit enough after a break and wasn't disgraced on his debut at the Curragh in October.
Bobby's Heart (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders and 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and no extra from 1f out, 9th of 14, 8l behind Ebanoran (9-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gd in Oct.
High Expectations (FR) 10-1 (8-12) Dwelt and always last, ridden 3f out, soon no impression, last of 3, 15l behind Prince Connoisseur (9-5) at Dundalk 6f 3yo mdn stks pol in Jan.
Lone Star (IRE) 13-8 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd entering straight, headway to lead 1 1/2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Not Your Call (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn stks pol in Jan.
Osuileabhain 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, under pressure and no impression on easy winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Soft Power (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn stks pol in Jan.
Flare Of Firelight (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway into 3rd and ridden 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra and dropped to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Kaminari (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn fll pol in Dec.
Oceania Queen (IRE) Oratorio filly out of Ocean Sands.
Scooping (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders and 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 6, 11l behind Soft Power (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn stks pol in Jan.
Shinyhappyjohn 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, soon ridden, under pressure and edged right over 1f out, kept on one pace in 3rd final furlong but no impression on easy winner, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Soft Power (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn stks pol in Jan.
