led early, prominent, challenged into straight, led 2f out, headed and one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders early, slightly impeded and dropped to 9th halfway, progress to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
soon led, pressed into straight, headed 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd from halfway, effort straight, no extra final furlong
prominent early, soon settled towards rear, 8th from halfway, switched right to outer from early straight, kept on without matching principals final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th from halfway, challenged 1 1/2f out, kept on well without matching winner inside final furlong
towards rear early, closer in 5th from halfway, under pressure on outer approaching straight, switched left 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division early, 6th from halfway, pushed along before straight, soon effort, kept on without matching principals final furlong
awkward leaving stalls and dwelt, waited with, 7th from halfway, headway towards inner into straight, soon effort and kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong
soon in rear, headway and effort on inner straight, kept on same pace final furlong
THE GAME OF LIFE made a winning start over the track and trip in December and though unable to get to Ahlan Bil Zain over 7f last month the winner has been in fine form and was receiving 9lb. A return to this trip can see Joseph O'Brien's charge back to winning ways though hat-trick-seeking Gougane Barra is an obvious threat despite a 7lb rise for his latest victory when conceding 20lb to the runner-up. Aussie Valentine is a smart handicapper with six victories to his credit, including from just 2lb lower here in October, though he may just need this. Twenty Minutes, who makes his handicap debut, has been threatening to win but hasn't done so yet while Koybig may still be a few pounds high in the weights.
Aussie Valentine (IRE) 9-2fav (9-13) In touch, dropped to 8th over 3f out, ridden and progress 1 1/2f out, no extra final 100 yards, 7th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Innamorare (8-4) at Leopardstown 1m hcp Good - Yielding in Oct.
The Game Of Life 10-3 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden early straight and no impression in 5th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Ahlan Bil Zain (9-6) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Pacific Fleet (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Ciao (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Jan.
Grace Rafaela (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Pushed along early and led inside first furlong, joined into straight, soon headed, no extra under 2f out, weakened, last of 7, 29 1/4l behind Lethal Power (9-11) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gf in Sep.
Koybig (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, headway early straight and ridden in 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Confrontational (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Sevenleft (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Mid-division, some headway 2f out and ridden in 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Confrontational (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Admodum (USA) 50-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression early straight, no extra, 10th of 11, 12l behind Mcguigan (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Twenty Minutes 3-1 (9-7) Led and disputed, led halfway, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Master Diver (9-7) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Jan.
Gougane Barra (USA) 9-4fav (9-13) Mid-division on outer, 5th halfway, pushed along and headway on outer under 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, soon led, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb beating Suntory Times (8-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Waitaki (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden to close on outer over 1f out, 6th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Confrontational (9-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
