always behind, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
mid-division on outer, ridden in 6th entering straight, soon no impression
made all, clear 4f out, ridden and clear from 2f out, reduced advantage but stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 4th entering straight, moderate 3rd 2f out, no impression in 4th final furlong
rearer leaving stalls and slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and some porgress 2f out, soon no impression
very slowly away and in rear, ridden on outer 2f out, some progress without threatening final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, joined for 2nd inside final furlong, went 2nd at line
rear of mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon no impression, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon weakened
chased leaders and took keen hold, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no impression
Coolfighter had been in tremendous form before finding 1m7f too far at Leopardstown and, though this could be slightly on the short side, Pat Smullen's presence suggests connections are confident of another big run. First In The Queue won twice over hurdles for Nicky Henderson at this time a year ago and was having his first start for Joanna Morgan when a fine fourth behind Unsinkable at Leopardstown last month. Hes Our Music won over track and trip in May and is only 3lb higher while The Ring Is King scored over hurdles at Sligo in July. Cebuano is weighted to win this at his best though he's better over further, as is Blue Ridge Lane, another recent winner over timber. SHARJAH (NAP) came here a week ago on a long losing run but he'd been performing with credit and deserved that all-the-way success under a huge weight. Runner-up Havelock Ellis runs earlier with a chance and Andy Slattery's charge can complete a quick double.
Aladdins Cave 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders and 5th halfway, pushed along in 9th 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 8l behind Sir Ector (9-3) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp gs in Jun '13.
Coolfighter (GER) 20-1 (8-1) Soon chased leaders in 10th, switched right 2f out, 8th 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 22, 4l behind Clondaw Warrior (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp in Oct.
Hes Our Music (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Dwelt and slightly hampered, soon mid-division, ridden on outer 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Gretzky (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
First In The Queue (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, soon no extra, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Unsinkable (8-3) at Leopardstown 1m App hcp in Oct.
The Ring Is King (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden from 3f out, no impression from under 2f out, last of 6, 8l behind Dalkova (9-7) at Naas 1m hcp gd in Jun.
Cebuano 20-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, kept on same pace on inner final furlong, 10th of 14, 6l behind Wither Hills (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-85 pol in Oct.
Blue Ridge Lane (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Made all, ridden 2f out and asserted 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Tramore 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug beating Shamar (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sharjah (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Soon led, pushed along from early straight, soon pressed, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-70 pol in Oct beating Havelock Ellis (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Talsara (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Towards rear, under pressure and no impression from 3f out, kept on same pace from over 2f out, 5th of 8, 14l behind Timiyan (9-4) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo hcp 60-90 gd in Jul.
Alhellal (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders, 6th and pushed along before straight, soon no impression and no extra from over 1f out, 20th of 21, 31l behind El Salvador (9-5) at Curragh 2m hcp in Oct.
Cristy's Call (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Raced in 9th early, took keen hold, 10th approaching straight, switched left to inner 2f out, switched right 1 1/2f out, 10th 1f out, one pace, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sharjah (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-70 pol in Oct.
Skimming Stone (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 9th halfway, no extra from 2f out, kept on one pace, 12th of 14, 16l behind Master Melody (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
