tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden early straight, no impression from over 1f out
chased leaders on outer, 6th halfway, driven along early straight, went 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace
always prominent, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, regained 2nd under pressure inside final furlong, no impression on winner
made all, driven along from over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, improved into 2nd travelling well over 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out
rear of mid-division on outer, some headway into 6th 2f out, no extra from 1f out
chased leaders on inner, 4th halfway, driven along and no extra from 2f out
settled in rear, some headway into 8th over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
held up on inner, 8th 2f out, kept on same pace on inner without threatening
always towards rear
Copper Dock was in superb form here a year ago and beat Tellelle narrowly over the trip in November. He hasn't been running as badly as his recent form figures suggest and though the runner-up has been much more consistent subsequently he faces his conqueror on worse terms. Calm Bay last won over 5f on this track over a year ago but that was from a mark of 77 and he's been struggling in handicaps after a big rise in the weights. There's every chance he will be better suited by this conditions race and should go well under his excellent claiming apprentice but the one to beat looks to be ROMEO'S ON FIRE. Ger Lyons' charge was conceding Copper Dock 9lbs when beaten a length over the C&D last October when Calm Bay was behind. His three career victories have all been on this track and this looks a good opportunity for him.
Sampers (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Chased leaders on outer, 5th 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind The Grey Rebel (9-8) at Dundalk 5f hcp 60-90 pol in Sep.
Tellelle (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Prominent on far side, 6th halfway, 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 26, 2 1/4l behind Thats A Fret (8-4) at Curragh 6f hcap in Sep.
Alsalwa (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th and ridden early straight, weakened from over 1 1/2f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind Harriers Call (9-7) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp in Sep.
Tweedy (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 5th on outer 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace straight, 5th of 11, 7l behind Fourpenny Lane (9-6) at Tipperary 7f fll lst stks gf in Aug.
Calm Bay (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Led or disputed lead, narrow advantage halfway, headed under pressure over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Celerina (8-4) at Cork 5f hcap gd in Aug.
Copper Dock (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, no extra early straight, 10th of 13, 10l behind Hajoum (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol.
Grigorovitch (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Always behind, last of 14, 17l behind The Grey Rebel (9-8) at Dundalk 5f hcp 60-90 pol in Sep.
Qadar (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up on near side, 5th halfway, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind He's Got Rhythm (12-4) at Laytown 7f am hcp 50-80 in Sep.
Romeo's On Fire (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway into mid-division straight, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 15, 7l behind Headford Lady (8-8) at Roscommon 7f hcp 50-85 in Sep.
Sharp Steel (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven along in 5th from halfway, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 4l behind Bank On Black (9-5) at Tipperary 5f 3yo hcp 50-80 fm in Jun.
Stones Peak (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, some progress entering straight, 5th and no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 4l behind Mini Chou (8-12) at Dundalk 6f app flls mdn stks pol.
