soon disputed, headed after 1 1/2f, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 3f out, soon no extra
held up in mid-division, ridden to close on outer 2f out, challenged 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, led last 50 yards and kept on well close home
mid-division, progress in 3rd under 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, joined inside final furlong, headed last 50 yards, no extra
disputed briefly, soon settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
soon disputed, headed after 2f, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
held up, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
soon disputed, led after 2f, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out
soon disputed, chased leader in 2nd after 2f, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out, weakened
held up towards rear, ridden to progress on outer under 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on final furlong
Sheberghan started off with Dermot Weld and is back in Ireland after three moves. A close second on his debut here in December, he went one better a month ago when battling on under a big weight to beat Wild Shot. Golden Valour landed a course and distance maiden in December but couldn't cope when tackling a tough handicap a couple of weeks later. Alhajjal went up 3lb for beating Moving Forward narrowly last month then ran reasonably well last week though the latter, a winner at Kempton, can reverse the places as that was his first start for new connections since transferring from the UK. Pak Army has won twice around here and was headed right on the line by Cautious Approach over 1m4f a fortnight ago. SECRET WIZARD (NAP) stayed on to finish runner-up to the heavily supported Saga Bolton last month with subsequent winner Sayesse back in third. That could prove good enough as prolific winner Aussie Valentine may just need the run.
Aussie Valentine (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division early, 7th approaching halfway, headway and effort straight, no extra from over 1f out, 13th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Kafu (9-8) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct.
Golden Valour 9-2 (8-4) Prominent early, chased clear leader and 2nd halfway, closer 2f out, soon ridden and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra, 8th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Charcor (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Sheberghan (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden to progress on outer 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, disputed over 1f out, edged ahead final 100 yards, kept on well under pressure, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb beating Wild Shot (9-11) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Moving Forward (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Chased clear leader, remote 3rd halfway, 2nd and pushed along early straight, closer under 2f out, soon ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Alhajjaj (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb.
Pak Army (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute 2f out, soon led, joined final 100 yards, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Cautious Approach (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
Secret Wizard (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out and kept on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Saga Bolton (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Jan.
Timemakesitfine (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) A little awkward leaving stalls and lost a little ground, pushed along briefly, soon towards rear, pushed along again before straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 13th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Spruce Meadows (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Sep.
Alhajjaj 10-1 (10-0) Pushed along early and led after 1 1/2f, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Happaugue (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Mar.
Frosty Beach (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride and towards rear, ran freely, ridden 2f out, some progress into 8th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Sheberghan (10-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb.
Ragtime Red (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Led, headed after 1 1/2f, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Happaugue (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Mar.
