held up towards rear, ridden into 6th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, kept on well close home
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 8th 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra over 1f out
soon led, ridden and challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
Many of these have been racing against each other through the winter and the form is difficult to fathom but those who saw BILLYFORD complete his double in early January won't want to miss him despite the lay-off. He's returned from a three-year absence through injury in superb form and is still very well handicapped at his best. Akasaka was headed on the line when attempting a double a month ago and is very closely matched with Iron Major on his previous start. Sunset Beauty has won three times over 7f and will have found 1m3f stretching her stamina last time while the handicapper may just have hold of Cool Athlete now.
Iron Major (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway into 5th 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on up rail inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1/2l behind If Per Chance (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Feb.
Billyford (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Jan beating Tarrsille (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Sunset Beauty (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, headway into 7th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Spin Of A Coin (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol in Feb.
Akasaka (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, headed on line, 2nd of 14, ns behind If Per Chance (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Feb.
Solent Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 8l behind Elusive Ridge (9-10) at Dundalk 7f app hcp pol in Dec.
Syrian 25-1 (9-12) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden and dropped to rear 2f out, no extra, last of 6, 8l behind Solo Performer (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol in Jan.
Toufan Express 12-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, no extra from over 1f out, last of 7, 7l behind Joe Eile (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
Cool Athlete (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway entering straight, 6th 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Fairy Wing (9-0) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol in Feb.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 10-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway into 9th 2f out, ridden in 8th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 1 1/2l behind If Per Chance (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Feb.
Rocky's Pride (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Fairy Wing (9-0) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol in Feb.
