chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, disputed lead briefly inside final furlong, headed and close home
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression straight, never a factor
led, ridden entering straight, headed 2f out, weakened
towards rear, pushed along in 10th 2f out, ridden in 8th and switched right 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and weakened entering straight
mid-division, pushed along on inner 2f out, ridden and headway into close 3rd 1f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home
rear of mid-division, no impression straight, never a factor
always towards rear, no impression straight
reared up leaving stalls and very slowly away, soon in touch in rear, ridden and no impression from 2f out
chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along 2f out, short of room briefly 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong
New Direction completed a quick hat-trick in low-grade handicaps in the autumn and might just have been feeling the effects when a beaten favourite in December. Asian Wing was behind him over track and trip in October but is much better off at the weights and should reverse the form after a fine effort here three weeks ago. BOTTLEOFSMOKE is yet to win but has improved since stepping up to this trip and produced his best run to date three weeks ago. With his young rider's claim to aid his cause, he can go one better. No Biggie won a Naas handicap on soft ground last summer but is 10lb higher despite showing little subsequently.
New Direction (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and progress to dispute 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Song Of Love (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
U S Navy Seal (USA) 20-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, kept on well close home, 5th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Paved With Gold (9-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
No Biggie (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Led, headed after 2f, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Catchy Lass (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Feb.
Commander Won (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden entering straight and no extra under 2f out, 11th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Duchessofflorence (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f pol in Feb.
Asian Wing (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along in 7th 2f out, headway and ridden to lead 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Duchessofflorence (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Im Waiting (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Towards rear, last at 6th, soon no danger, slight mistake 2 out, completely tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Prospectus (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Tommy Welsh (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) In rear, ridden on outer 2f out, some late headway final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 4l behind Serefeli (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Gretzky 16-1 (9-10) Mid-division, dropped towards rear 3f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 11th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Solar Heat (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
My Painter (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, no impression straight, never a factor, 12th of 14, 14l behind Alans Pride (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Rubenesque (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, no impression straight, never a factor, 9th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Free State (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Bottleofsmoke (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Hello Humpfrey (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Ciankyle (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division on inner, pushed along in 9th 2 out, no extra approaching last, 16th of 20, 35 1/2l behind Adreamstillalive (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m hcp sft in Jan.
Society Ranger (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Towards rear, pushed along on outer entering straight, ridden in 8th 2f out, went 5th 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Duchessofflorence (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Trump Card (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 9th of 12, 17 1/4l behind General Hazard (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Crafty Codger (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, closer on outer over 4f out, pushed along from 3f out, no extra from over 1f out, 11th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Ben Rumson (9-1) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.
Snake Eyes (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division on inner, no impression straight, never a factor, 10th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Train Time (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Jan.
Lucca (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride and in rear, no impression from 3f out, kept on without threatening, 8th of 14, 6 3/4l behind World Of Good (9-2) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Jan.
