Ben Rumson has been in excellent form and his latest run behind Rock On Dandy could be given a boost by the winner in the previous race. PASS THE BALL has won between the flags, over hurdles and regulation fences so it was a superb effort to be narrowly beaten over 7f here a week ago. This is much more like his trip and he can go one better. California Lad had been running really well before scoring over 1m2f a fortnight ago and it will be a surprise if a 5lb rise prevents another big effort but the lightly-raced A Place Apart is making his debut on the surface. Set To Fire hasn't won in a dozen all-weather starts though was just in front of Repare Mon last week.
Ben Rumson (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Held up, 11th approaching halfway, closed straight, chased winner and kept same pace final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Rock On Dandy (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Pass The Ball (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Mid-division on inner, ridden under 2f out and some headway to go 3rd 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Secret Memories (9-3) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
California Lad 7-1 (9-4) Chased leader, 5th halfway, headway to 2nd under 2f out, ridden to close 1f out, kept on well to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating Jessamine (8-13) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Empresario (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon towards rear, progress and effort straight, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Rock On Dandy (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Ineffable (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, weakened 1 1/2f out, 12th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Koybig (9-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Repare Mon (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Mid-division early, 6th approaching halfway, not clear run briefly 2f out, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Rock On Dandy (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
A Place Apart (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, 9th approaching 4th, no impression from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening, 4th of 11, 30 1/2l behind Mitchouka (11-7) at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Easy Boy (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon towards rear, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Rock On Dandy (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Set To Fire (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, held up, 12th approaching halfway, improved behind horses 2f out, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 4 3/4l behind Rock On Dandy (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Taste The Salt (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early, soon raced in 8th, effort straight, one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Alcander (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Glimmer Of Hope 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, 6th halfway, lost place entering straight, soon ridden, weakened under 2f out, 13th of 14, 17 3/4l behind California Lad (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Lizard Point (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, 7th 4f out, reminder entering straight, closed on leaders 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, slightly hampered final 100 yards, 8th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Tropic Thunder (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Jose Echegaray (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Soon pushed along to lead on inner, headed under 5f out, 3rd 4f out, lost place approaching straight, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Tropic Thunder (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Shadow Of Hercules (IRE) 150-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Bid Adieu (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Nov.
Im Waiting (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Towards rear, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, late headway inside final furlong, ran on to take 4th closing stages, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Navajo Star (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Tildas Icon (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Close up and disputed lead early, took keen hold, prominent, soon 3rd, 5th after halfway, challenged straight, no extra and one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Alcander (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Getgo 7-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Fort Jefferson (9-11) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
