chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, disputed over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, just denied at line
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra
soon led, pressed 2f out, soon ridden, disputed 1 1/2f out, headed inside final 200 yards, no extra and kept on one pace
held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden and disputed 1 1/2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, just prevailed at line
held up towards rear, ridden into moderate 7th 2f out, 5th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
dwelt and towards rear, ridden into moderate 6th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, pushed along in 7th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out
dwelt slightly and towards rear, pushed along in 6th halfway, ridden and no extra over 2f out
chased leader, ridden to challenge 2 1/2f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, soon no extra
Joseph O'Brien has four of the nine entries including the top three in the handicap who are all in good form. Jockey bookings are unlikely to give clues but Shane Crosse has ridden all of the trio at some stage and chooses VHAGAR, who was always travelling easily when landing a course and distance maiden last month. His mount is only 4lb higher and must have a fair chance of preventing the hat-trick bid of Beau Warrior, who tackles the trip for the first time and is up 11lb for her latest victory. Joza, a winner over the trip at Limerick in the summer, looked better suited by a mile when runner-up a fortnight ago while Early Voice makes her handicap debut from a lowly mark.
Colfer Me (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, dropped to 6th halfway, progress on inner to 3rd under 2f out, headway to 2nd over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly final 100 yards, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Antilles (9-2) at Naas 7f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Recovery Road (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 2nd 2f out and soon pushed along, ridden 1f out and no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind That's Not Me (9-0) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Nov.
Vhagar (IRE) 5-2 (9-1) Pushed along to soon lead, travelling smoothly and went on straight, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov beating Royal Court (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Beau Warrior (IRE) 6-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, travelled well and switched right early straight, pushed along and headway under 2f out, ridden to lead early final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov beating Imposing Supreme (9-10) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Joza (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway on outer 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind King's Vow (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Dare To Flare (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division on outer, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 7th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind That's Not Me (9-0) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Nov.
Early Voice (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 6l behind Pensylvania Avenue (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Esprit de Lumiere (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along and some headway under 2f out, ridden in 5th and slightly hampered 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 7 1/4l behind King's Vow (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Ascot Dreamer 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, lost position from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Rockview Spirit (9-0) at Down Royal 5f mdn fll gd in Sep.
