mid-division on inner, 6th 4f out, went 4th 2f out, soon ridden, disputed lead 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong stayed on well close home
mid-division on outer, ridden and weakened quickly over 4f out, soon tailed off and eased
chased leaders, ridden on outer entering straight, 5th 2f out, no impression
always towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no impression
towards rear, progress 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, went 5th 1f out, no extra
chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 3f out, weakened
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
slowly into stride and in rear, no impression from 3f out, some modest late progress
towards rear, some progress entering straight, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden in 7th 4f out, under pressure in 6th 2f out, went 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, improved to dispute lead 1f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
Political Policy loves it around here and has now won seven times, the last two over 1m2f which is the furthest he's been. Break My Mind was in moderate form on Turf during the summer but has run two excellent races since running on Polytrack and it's a surprise to see her dropped in the ratings after finishing runner-up last time. Tawseef won at Roscommon in September but has only reached a place once in seven starts on the all-weather. Saga Bolton has only had five races and improved with each of them. He followed his Fairyhouse success with a narrow victory over Carried here last month, where he got up in the final strides. POITIN completed a double here last spring and has continued to run well - he's dropped back to a winnable mark. Sharjah won this last year and is lower in the weights and none of the remainder can be ruled out in a very competitive handicap.
Political Policy (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Mid-division, 7th halfway, progress on outer 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and asserted 100 yards out, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating Brosnan (8-6) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Liberty Jack (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, no impression 4 out, weakened and completely tailed off, last of 20, dist behind Conright Boy (11-4) at Down Royal 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Break My Mind (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, under pressure under 2f out and progress into 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Tooreen Legend (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Mustadaam (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold tracking leader, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place, eased over 1f out, virtually pulled up, last of 8, dist behind Smiling Stranger (9-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Sharjah (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Political Policy (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Catchy Lass (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, some progress in 4th 2f out, ridden and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Political Policy (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Presenting Julio (IRE) 5-2 (9-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, progress to lead 2f out, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Dec beating Rock On Rosie (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Carried (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Saga Bolton (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Poitin 5-1 (9-12) Dwelt, towards rear, headway entering straight, ridden in 8th 2f out, went 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Udogo (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Tawseef (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Rear of mid-division on outer, slight mistake 2 out and 12th entering straight, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in, 9th of 21, 27 1/2l behind Forever Gold (10-3) at Leopardstown 3m hcp hvy in Dec.
Brosnan (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden under 2f out and 4th 1f out, went 2nd 100 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Political Policy (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Saga Bolton (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along 2f out, progress under pressure to go 2nd 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Carried (9-7) by nk, 14 ran.