soon led, ridden clear from under 2f out, very easily
soon close up in 2nd, ridden to challenge early straight, no impression from under 2f out, one pace
broke well, settled 3rd, ridden entering straight, 4th and one pace from over 1f out
settled 4th, ridden entering straight, moderate 3rd from 1 1/2f out, one pace
always in rear, trailing before straight, tailed off
Bendzoldan landed a tough nursery over 7f here on Sunday when Final Recovery was sixth and Hope Of An Angel eighth. Final Recovery has a chance to reverse the form at the revised weights though the winner looked on the upgrade and won't mind the extra furlong. Elusive Express also ran on Sunday when placed behind Valbonne in a 7f maiden. She can go well but looks more of a sprinter and ALEXANDER POPE looks the one to be on. The Ballydoyle colt hasn't been seen since landing a 7f Leopardstown maiden in August but has plenty of scope and should go on to better things.
Alexander Pope (IRE) 4-5fav (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, challenged from under 2f out, edged slightly right 1f out, kept on well under pressure to lead near finish, all out, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gd in Aug beating A Word Apart (9-3) by shd, 8 ran.
Final Recovery 11-2 (9-6) Prominent, 4th halfway, 3rd early straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Bendzoldan (8-5) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol.
Bendzoldan (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd after halfway, 2nd and challenged over 1f out, soon short of room, led narrowly 100yards from finish, edged right under pressure, all out, won at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol beating Crystal Belle (9-0) by shd, 13 ran.
Hope Of An Angel (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, 8th halfway, no impression straight, 8th of 13, 10l behind Bendzoldan (8-5) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol.
Samsieur (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, no extra early straight, last of 12, 17l behind Timeless Call (8-12) at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
Elusive Express (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Settled 3rd, challenged early straight, led narrowly 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Valbonne (8-11) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll pol.