dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden into 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 11th 3f out, kept on one pace straight
chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, challenged in 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, 10th 3f out, ridden into 6th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led and disputed, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra and weakened
mid-division, headway into 5th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on to 2nd closing stages, 3rd on line
held up towards rear, headway in 9th 3f out, ridden in 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong to 2nd on line
chased leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
led and disputed, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra and weakened
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out
Another tricky handicap for punters to solve especially as the very useful and versatile Lough Ferrib is making his debut on an artificial surface. A recent winner over timber at Listowel, he scored on the Flat over 1m5f at Down Royal in September and may just find this on the short side. Rocky's Pride is a UK import racing from what looks a lenient mark and should go well for new connections but Try Freedom, despite an excellent second to Gargano here on Saturday, is still a maiden after 29 career starts. The handicapper is reluctant to release his grip on ACCOMPANIST, who has been running well without quite getting there. He's had a nice break since a fine second to Force Of Habit here in October and may be good enough despite looking to have enough weight.
Lynott (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, 9th halfway, some progress on inner early straight, 5th and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Dazzle Dancer (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Accompanist 16-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 2f out, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Force Of Habit (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct.
Bay Swallow (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Led, headed after 1f, regained lead 3f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Force Of Habit (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct.
Guestofthenation (USA) 12-1 (12-0) Chased leaders on far side, 5th halfway, under pressure in 6th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind Dunne Grand (11-6) at Laytown 7f amt stk in Sep.
Lough Ferrib (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Keen hold early, soon tracked leaders, led over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 1m 5f app hcp 47-65 gd in Sep beating Hey Bosco (8-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Rocky's Pride (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ran on to chase winner 1f out, no impression well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Lombok (9-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Tajweed (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Rear of mid-division, some headway entering straight, 6th on outer over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Gargano (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol.
Seven Red (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased clear leader in 2nd, weakened approaching straight, 11th of 12, 26l behind Gargano (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol.
Sparring Partner (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Held up, 11th halfway, 8th and progress entering straight, 5th and no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 10l behind Mr Pianist (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Chaparro (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, progress on inner over 3f out, 7th into straight, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 14, 14l behind Mr Pianist (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Try Freedom (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, 3rd entering straight, closer in 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Gargano (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol.
Playdate 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, progress into 6th before straight, 5th and ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 10l behind Mr Pianist (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Samba Mirander 12-1 (9-6) Never a factor, 10th of 14, 14l behind Connyella (9-7) at Limerick 1m 3f app hcp 47-60 gd in Jun.
Victorian Lace (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before straight, dropped to 4th and no impression from 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 12l behind Dainty (9-0) at Clonmel 1m 2f fll mdn stks gf in May.
