settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, joined briefly 4f out, strongly pressed 2f out, ridden inside final furlong and kept on well under pressure, all out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression on leaders 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd closing stages
chased leader, disputed briefly 4f out, pushed along in close 2nd 3f out, close up and pressed leader 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, just held
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden into 4th 2f out, 3rd and no impression on leaders 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th closing stages
Apparition won a couple of races on Turf last summer and scored over hurdles in October though he hasn't run well in later starts over timber. Nimitz has been racing exclusively over the extended 1m2f trip where he's battled on strongly to complete a double. He should be suited by stepping up and can make a bold bid to complete a hat-trick. Financial Conduct is very much on the upgrade and was returning from a couple of months off when beating Alcander over the track and trip last month. He has an 8lb rise to contend with but looks certain to get into contention. ELISHPOUR won over course and distance in November than over 2m the following month. He just failed to concede She's A Star a stone over the latter trip last time and can get back on the winning trail.
Ballynanty (IRE) 80-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 15, 34 1/4l behind Impact Factor (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Elishpour (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well to challenge and slightly hampered 2f out, led over 1 1/2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed at line, 2nd of 12, shd behind She's A Star (8-10) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Apparition (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, no impression in 6th when slight mistake next, no extra, 7th of 9, 32l behind Chesterfield King (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Financial Conduct (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Broke well, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, switched right and closer early straight, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, headway to lead over 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb beating Alcander (8-8) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Nimitz (IRE) 9-4fav (9-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 1 1/2f out, ridden to narrow lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb beating Carried (10-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Alcander (FR) 9-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, headway to lead 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed 1f out, headed over 100 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Financial Conduct (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
Wrap Star (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Towards rear, good headway to 5th halfway, lost place over 3f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Sharjah (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
