always prominent, mainly 2nd, every chance from 2f out, 3rd inside final furlong, no extra and kept on same pace close home
dwelt slightly and held up in rear, progress and switched left to inner from 2f out, challenged in 2nd and every chance inside final furlong, no extra and kept on same pace close home
soon led, pushed along 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
tracked leaders, challenged on outer 2f out, soon no impression and dropped behind final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, soon no impression, no extra in 4th final furlong and eased closing stages
Antiquus has been racing over the wrong trips according to her trainer who dropped her back to 6f for her last two starts and she's been a revelation. She led for most of the way on Friday but meets speedier opposition here. Knock Stars had Majestic Timeline close behind in third in October and though the latter has improved subsequently he's much worse off at the weights. Cottrell beat the reappearing Elusive Ice over an extra furlong to finally lose his maiden tag but whether he has the pace for this is another matter. ABOVE THE LAW won easily over track and trip in May then showed his versatility by beating a big field over an extra furlong on soft ground at Navan. Andy Oliver should have him right and he looks well enough handicapped to complete a long-range hat-trick despite a 12lb rise.
Knock Stars (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed from 1f out, headed final 100 yards, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Rummaging (9-6) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Majestic Timeline (IRE) 7-4fav (8-13) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov beating Sylvan Mist (9-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Antiquus (IRE) 10-3fav (9-5) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead under 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, won at Dundalk 6f Classified Stakes (0-65) (3yo+) pol beating Under Review (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cottrell 4-1 (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, led 1 1/2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f mdn stks pol in Nov beating Elusive Ice (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Above The Law (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) In rear of mid-division on outer, pushed along and plenty to do in 11th on outer 2f out, headway into 3rd and ridden 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Navan 6f hcp 47-70 in May beating Indigo Iris (9-2) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
