settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 4f out, soon dropped towards rear, no extra over 2f out
held up in rear, progress into 6th 3f out, ridden and closer in 5th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
chased leader, 2nd halfway, close up 5f out, disputed 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, keen hold early, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra 2f out
held up, 6th halfway, progress 2 1/2f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, disputed 1 1/2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well closing stages
Political Policy has won eight times around here but has taken 52 races to do it. He arrives in decent form having been beaten a neck over hurdles last month and Kevin Manning is a positive booking. Joseph O'Brien complicates matters by saddling Too Precious and Shadow Seven. The former completed a four-timer in quick succession then looked as though he'd had enough on his latest start three weeks ago. He's never raced beyond 1m4f nor has his stable companion, who completed a double then didn't get the run of the race on his hat-trick bid. Eshtiaal has been chasing but won over the course and distance on his only visit here in March 2016. MARINE ONE was beaten six lengths by Too Precious over 1m2f but was conceding 7lb and stayed on strongly at the finish. He's since won a 1m4f maiden in good style and, with this longer trip likely to suit, can gain his first handicap victory.
Eshtiaal (USA) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 4th early, dropped to last and mistake 3rd, mistake 7th, trailing next, left remote 4th 3 out, no impression, 4th of 5, dist behind Roaring Bull (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f gd in Jan.
Too Precious (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-10) Held up early, mid-division halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Commander Won (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Fern Owl 25-1 (11-3) Close up, 3rd after 6th, 5th before 9th, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 16, dist behind Cantkidakidder (11-3) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp gd in Aug.
Political Policy (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent and led after 2nd, joined approaching straight, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and kept on run-in, headed closing stages, 2nd of 13, nk behind The King Of Brega (11-3) at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Dec.
Marine One 15-8fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and headway early straight, led 1 1/2f out and soon edged right, ridden and edged further right 150 yards out, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Dec beating Black Noah (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Shadow Seven (FR) 9-4fav (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along and not clear run 2f out, soon switched right and ridden in 7th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Markhan (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Ashqar (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and soon no extra, weakened, 14th of 16, dist behind Havingagoodtime (10-7) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Dec.
All's Quiet (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway travelling well early straight and squeezed through between horses 2f out, soon ridden in 2nd and no impression on winner 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 4 1/4l behind Jake Peter (9-5) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
