held up towards rear, headway in 5th 2f out, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on to dispute 2nd final furlong, just held for 2nd
led, ridden and challenged 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and disputed 2nd, kept on same pace, just held 2nd
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
settled behind leaders, ridden in 5th halfway, no impression and weakened entering straight
always towards rear, weakened before straight
Finicius and QUINMASTER fought out a couple of tight finishes here a year ago with the former just prevailing on both occasions. The latter is 1lb better off for a short-head defeat the last time they met and Gary Carroll's claim may just swing things his way this time. The ultra-consistent Rambling Dancer won easily over a mile here on Wednesday but has much more to do and Anam Chara is a more potent threat. Andy Oliver's filly ran a superb race behind Banna Boirche here on Wednesday when caught right on the post after attempting to make all over that mile trip. Webbow had some decent form in the UK for Nigel Tinkler and new handler Brian Ellison is adept at placing his horses to the best effect so he's another to note in an interesting opener.
Finicius (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, switched to outer for effort entering straight, ridden and no impression, 10th of 12, 10l behind Shimmering Moment (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Rambling Dancer (IRE) 11-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd travelling well when edged left early straight, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol beating Whiteball Wonder (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Anam Chara (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Attempted to make all, ridden clear entering straight, strongly pressed well inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Banna Boirche (9-11) at Dundalk 1m Ext hcp pol.
Quinmaster (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Settled in rear, switched to outer early straight, headway into 6th 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Tornadodancer (8-8) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Webbow (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Raced stands side held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 22nd of 30, 7l behind Docofthebay (8-12) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
Cooke's Bar (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden into 8th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 14, 9l behind An Saighdiur (9-5) at Dundalk 6f mdn stks pol in Oct.
Sacred Aria 50-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and weakened before halfway, tailed off straight, 13th of 14, well behind Westtower Boy (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in Nov.
