always prominent, close 2nd entering straight, ridden to lead under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
led, headed after 2f, ridden and dropped to 6th 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden in 7th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
dwelt and settled in rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, never a factor
mid-division, ridden entering straight, 8th 2f out, 6th 1f out, no extra
mid-division, ridden entering straight, 5th 2f out, went 2nd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong
led after 2f, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed under 2f out, soon 3rd, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden entering straight, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, never a factor
chased leaders on inner, ridden 3f out, weakened from 2f out
Our Manekineko gained his second victory in just six starts here with a resounding success over Dancing Cosmos last week and has to be respected. Valley Queen didn't quite get the run of the race when second to Miller Beach last week and is closely matched with Lord Kenmare on their 1-2 a month earlier. Reckless Lad is progressing nicely and stayed on very strongly to beat subsequent winner Miller Beach last month while Misty Lane couldn't quite manage to land a gamble two weeks ago when he possibly found the 7f just on the short side. THE FIRM was having just his second start since July 2011 when a close fourth to Ningaloo Reef last month and, as that should have brought him to peak fitness, he's handed the vote.
Our Manekineko 5-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to challenge 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol beating Dancing Cosmos (9-13) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Firm (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Close up, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Ningaloo Reef (9-7) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Valley Queen 7-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, stayed on to dispute 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Miller Beach (9-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 8-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, some progress into 10th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Our Manekineko (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Misty Lane (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Danseur De Feu (9-11) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and progress 2f out, 4th and not clear run 1 1/2f out, switched to inner 1f out, stayed on to lead last 100 yards, kept on well close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Nov beating Miller Beach (9-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Badger Daly (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Towards rear, 11th before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 11th of 14, 13l behind At Boolavogue (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Oct.
Busalla (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Mid-division on outer, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 6l behind Apache Gold (8-2) at Cork 6f App hcp in Oct.
Furacano (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Chased leaders and 4th halfway, ridden along and closer over 1f out, no impression on principals inside final furlong but kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Gatamalata (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Jul.
Hypatia (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden before straight, no extra 2f out, 10th of 12, 22l behind Habesh (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Bumble Bee Slim 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and no extra over 2f out, 12th of 14, 12l behind Our Manekineko (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
