held up towards rear, some late headway into moderate 7th 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out, weakened
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, no extra over 1f out
soon mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 4th 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, soon disputed, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway in 7th and not clear run 2f out, switched over 1f out, challenged in 3rd 1f out, ridden to lead last 150 yards, kept on well close home
chased leaders and keen hold, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
held up early, headway to chase leaders before halfway where 4th, ridden in 6th 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, 3rd 3f out, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, eased final furlong
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden in 5th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Many of these arrive in fine form including Gaiety Theatre, who makes her handicap debut after beating Diamond Daze in a maiden last month. MASTER MELODY has improved since beaten by Elizabeth Coffee in November where Joe Eile was 3l back in third. Kevin Prendergast's charge subsequently beat Flavia Tatiana over the C&D and defied a 6lb rise to complete a double last month. He's up another 3lb here but Gary Halpin gets on well with him and his 10lb claim is a huge bonus. He just gets the vote in an open event but Baitsileir is one to keep an eye on as he looked on his way back to top form here last month and Confidence landed a similarly tough handicap in very good style three weeks ago.
Syrian 33-1 (9-5) Disputed lead, led travelling well 3f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, 12th of 14, 9l behind Master Melody (7-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Ultra Cool (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Disputed early, soon chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 4l behind Westtower Boy (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Baitsileir (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on again final furlong, hampered 100 yards out, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Westtower Boy (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Reggae Rock (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 8th of 14, 6l behind Master Melody (7-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Confidence (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Led after 1f and made rest, ridden and kept on well from 2f out, won at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol in Dec beating Knockgraffon Lad (9-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Elizabeth Coffee (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden straight, 3rd 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Master Melody (7-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Flavia Tatiana (IRE) 6-4fav (9-12) Settled in mid-division, 7th halfway, went 4th early straight, headway to lead over 1f out, soon strongly pressed and headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Master Melody (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-75 pol in Dec.
Joe Eile (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Tell The Wind (9-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Master Melody (IRE) 7-2fav (7-11) Chased leaders, 4th 3f out, ridden straight, led over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Strandfield Lady (8-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Gaiety Theatre (USA) 11-10fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol in Dec beating Diamond Daze (8-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Macnas (USA) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden entering straight, 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Confidence (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol in Dec.
