settled in rear, ridden in 6th on outer 2f out, soon no impression
led, ridden and headed under 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra
in rear, last and ridden on wide outside 2f out, last 1f out, ran on on outer close home
always prominent, improved to lead and ridden under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression from 2f out
chased leaders on outer, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders and took keen hold early, ridden in 4th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on
Banna Boirche landed this a year ago carrying 2lb less and though he hasn't won subsequently he's competed at a high level and should go close. He was behind tonight's rival Strait Of Zanzibar last time but that was over 7f and this trip is much more to his liking. The winner had tumbled down the weights since his juvenile days and has been raised just 3lb so should give another good account. Suehail has won two of six starts here and is just 1lb higher than for his latest victory while Elusive In Paris was in fine form at this time a year ago and will have come on for his run in February. Brog Deas has been racing over hurdles and will be fit enough but CROI AN OR looks the one to be on as he has performed with credit at a higher level than this and made a reasonable return to action in the Irish Lincolnshire on the opening day of the season.
Banna Boirche (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 9th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Strait Of Zanzibar (8-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Soon led and disputed, ridden 2f out, challenged 1f out, headed final 150 yards and no extra, 7th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Strait Of Zanzibar (8-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol.
Croi An Or (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, headway into 6th 3f out, not clear run behind horses 2f out, hampered 1 1/2f out, ridden in 9th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 20, 10l behind Sweet Lightning (9-8) at Curragh 1m Extended Handicap (4yo+) hvy in Mar.
Brog Deas (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Settled towards rear, 12th halfway, some headway into 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace without troubling leaders, 4th of 15, 10l behind Brendan Brackan (9-2) at Curragh 1m hcp 60-100 in Sep.
Hot Bed (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden entering straight, some progress into 6th 1 1/2f out, no impression, 7th of 14, 5l behind Russian Soul (9-3) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Sep.
Elusive In Paris (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Towards rear, some progress and kept on without threatening from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 6l behind Cash Or Casualty (8-9) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Feb.
Regulation (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Waited with, 12th early, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 10th of 16, 7l behind Precious Stone (8-2) at Leopardstown 1m App hcp sft in Oct.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along into 2nd entering straight, under pressure in 3rd 1 1/2f out, close up 1f out, kept on final furlong to challenge final 100 yards and led close home, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol beating Jamesie (9-4) by hd, 13 ran.
Suehail 5-2 (9-9) Held up, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, last of 6, 4l behind Atticus Finch (8-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Feb.
