led, ridden entering straight, headed 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2f out
chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 4th on outer 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without threatening
held up in rear, ridden entering straight, adrift in last on outer 2f out, some late progress inside final furlong
took keen hold and chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Shabra Emperor has won once in 50 starts and though that was on this track it was also over a much longer trip. Above The Law stayed on to score over 6f last month but has been disappointing in two subsequent runs, the latest over the minimum trip. SHE'S NOT SIMPLE won a Naas maiden in July and the assessor overreacted. But she ran well when last seen here in early December and can gain her first victory on the track. The Firm looked to have a very simple task in a similar race to this last month but, though eventually getting on top, he made hard work of landing the odds. Relay's only success came on this track a year ago from 5lb higher and she's been inconsistent though there are bits and pieces of form that give her a shout at big odds. Cappadocia's two career victories have been on Polytrack at Kempton and his two runs last summer were on very testing ground.
Above The Law (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Prominent early, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2f out, last of 9, 8l behind Sylvan Mist (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol in Jan.
She's Not Simple (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd closing stages, just held 3rd, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Antiquus (9-5) at Dundalk 6f Classified Stakes (0-65) (3yo+) pol in Dec.
The Firm (IRE) 8-15fav (9-1) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and progress under 2f out, switched out 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, stayed on to lead last 100 yards, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m mdn clm pol in Jan beating Ballynakelly (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cappadocia (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Soon chased leaders, 7th approaching straight, no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 21l behind Hail Shower (9-5) at Listowel 6f 3yo hcp in Sep.
Relay 20-1 (9-2) Led and disputed, ridden and headed under 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 14, 9l behind Our Manekineko (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Dwelt and pushed along, soon tracked leaders, 2nd before straight, 3rd under 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Equation Of Time (8-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol.
