in rear, some progress early straight, 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
ran 8th, pushed along and no impression entering straight, in rear over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra, eased final 100 yards
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
ran 5th, 6th 2f out, pushed along and went 4th early final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and dropped to 4th 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along entering straight, no impression on winner in 2nd 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd on line
made all, ridden to assert over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
Gretzky came with a storming late run to snatch victory from Hardstone last month but the runner-up, who was having just his sixth run, should take revenge on 4lb better terms. Shalaman, who was a close third, should also get involved at the revised weights but fourth-placed Wither Hills had every chance. He'd earlier beaten the hat-trick seeking Waver over track and trip but it would be no surprise to see that form reversed. Paddy The Celeb has been hurdling with limited success but reverted to the Flat at the Curragh in August and was unlucky in-running behind Kalann. WON DIAMOND tackled this trip for the first time at Naas last month and ran very well though was disqualified when his inexperienced rider failed to weigh in. He'll make a bold bid to make amends and gets the vote in a very tough handicap. Waydownsouth has won six times on Turf and ran a fine race in the November Handicap at Leopardstown on his latest start while Gold Focus makes her debut on the surface from a lowly spot in the weights and has every chance of making further progress.
Gretzky 20-1 (9-3) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 6th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead on line, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct beating Hardstone (8-5) by shd, 14 ran.
Aladdins Cave 33-1 (10-2) Always behind, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, last of 11, 17l behind Hes Our Music (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Paddy The Celeb (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Held up, soon rear of mid-division, went 9th 2f out, soon briefly short of room and switched left, moderate 6th and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Kalann (8-10) at Curragh 2m hcp gf in Aug.
Shalaman (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and switched to outer over 2f out, stayed on in 8th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Gretzky (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Won Diamond 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, 9th halfway, pushed along towards rear over 2f out, ridden under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, finished 5th, disqualified as rider failed to weigh in, 5th of 16, 3l behind Rocky Bleier (9-1) at Naas 1m 4f hcp in Oct.
Waver (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, pushed along into mid-division under 3f out, ridden under 2f out, weakened and eased under 1f out, 15th of 16, 17l behind Rocky Bleier (9-1) at Naas 1m 4f hcp in Oct.
Wither Hills (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, challenged 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Gretzky (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Waydownsouth (IRE) 33-1 (7-11) Soon mid-division, 14th from halfway, improved into 6th 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 22, 2 1/2l behind Clondaw Warrior (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp in Oct.
Shukhov (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Soon mid-division in 11th, 10th 3f out, raced on outer straight, headway 1f out, soon no impression, kept on, 7th of 17, 2l behind Stronger Than Me (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp in Oct.
Gold Focus (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division early, progress into 5th halfway, ridden and lost place over 3f out, towards rear 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 9l behind Laviniad (8-7) at Cork 1m fll hcp sft in Oct.
Hardstone (USA) 10-1 (8-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, drifted right over 1f out and soon narrow lead, disputed inside final furlong, kept on closing stages, headed on line, 2nd of 14, shd behind Gretzky (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
