tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 4th 2f out and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, progress into 2nd after 5f, pushed along approaching straight, under pressure 2f out and soon no impression on winner, no extra inside final furlong
made all, pushed along to assert 2f out and 3 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on well
slowly into stride, in rear, 5th approaching straight, ridden on outer over 1f out and went 2nd 150 yards out, no impression on winner, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, dropped towards rear after 6f, pushed along in 6th 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, no extra
tracked leader in 2nd, lost place after 5f and 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and soon no impression in rear, no extra 2f out, weakened, tailed off
George Baker has sent GUARD OF HONOUR (NAP) to Leopardstown for the last two November Handicaps and he's done very well in both. He didn't perform as well in a Class 2 event on Tapeta at Newcastle last time but he's been placed on Polytrack at Lingfield so should have no problems with the surface and can make the long journey pay. Mandatario has won here and at Leopardstown in the past year, both from higher marks than this. He was beaten almost three lengths by Winter Lion over the track and trip in November, when Venezia finished runner-up, and should be thereabouts again though it's about time the latter was winning again. Black Label is versatile and wins his share while Sharjah has won six times around here, though never beyond 1m4f.
Mandatario 8-1 (9-10) Towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, progress to 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Winter Lion (8-7) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Guard Of Honour (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Winning Story (8-9) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Winter Lion (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leader in 3rd, progress to 2nd 5f out, improved to lead briefly under 2f out, soon headed, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Jaqen H'ghar (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Venezia (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Rear, 10th halfway, ridden and headway to 3rd 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Jaqen H'ghar (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Sharjah (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Song Of Love (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Black Label 8-1 (8-4) In rear, 7th on outer entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Udogo (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Rathmuck Native (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 8 1/2l behind The Paris Shrug (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Dec.
