chased leaders in 4th, weakened entering straight
held up in 5th, 4th travelling well early straight, close 3rd when not clear run from 1 1/2f out, checked under 1f out, switched left 100 yards from finish, soon no extra
slowly into stride, soon driven along, trailing from halfway
made all, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, edged right 100 yards from finish
raced in 2nd, 3rd and driven along approaching straight, 4th and no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened
settled 3rd, 2nd into straight, soon ridden to challenge, no impression inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
Aidan O'Brien is represented by Pirate Chest and Last Crusade, who were both behind Tiz The Shot at Leopardstown in October. The former has had plenty of chances and, though four lengths in front of his stable companion on that occasion, it would be no surprise to see Last Crusade improve past him. ONE UP ONE DOWN showed a little promise on his debut at Navan in October and put the experience to good use with a fine placed effort behind Mutahadee over this C&D a month later. With normal progress, he can beat off the Ballydoyle challenge.
Alte Brucke (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, 7th entering straight, ridden and no impression from 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 6l behind Maundays Bay (8-12) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol.
Balmont Mast (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Towards rear, took keen hold, closer in 9th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Maundays Bay (8-12) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol.
Campas Bay (IRE) Oratorio colt out of Love Of The Game.
Last Crusade (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, edged clear entering straight, headed over 1f out, soon no extra and weakened, 9th of 19, 9l behind Tiz The Shot (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2yo mdn gf in Oct.
One Up One Down (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Keen early, settled 3rd, 2nd and ridden early straight, kept on same pace from under pressure from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Mutahadee (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
Pirate Chest (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, 9th into straight, headway into 3th 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 19, 6l behind Tiz The Shot (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2yo mdn gf in Oct.