chased leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight, soon no impression
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on final furlong
made all, took keen hold early, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, soon no impression
chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, dropped to 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch in rear, ridden entering straight, moderate 5th 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, never nearer
These rated races are often hard to predict and this is no exception. Our Manekineko has been alternating between this track and racing over hurdles but is very much better here and a 5lb rise for his latest success looks fair. Smoker is having his first start on Polytrack but has rarely been beaten far in better races than this on Turf so has to be considered. Raydari is another who has been running over timber and he's won three times here so has to be on the shortlist. SNOW SCENE is returning from a break but was progressive last season and her defeat of Deep Speed over the track and trip in November was given a huge boost when the runner-up won twice subsequently so Ger Lyons' filly looks the one to be on. He's Our Music likes it around here and didn't handle the testing ground at Leopardstown last time while Zeftan has performed with credit here without winning.
Our Manekineko 14-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, improved to lead 1f out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well under pressure, all out, won at Dundalk 1m stks 0-85 pol in Apr beating Captain Cullen (9-7) by hd, 8 ran.
Smoker 6-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 8l behind Woodsophiesmile (9-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gf.
Hes Our Music (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Slowly away and in rear, ridden and some progress early straight, no impression inside final furlong, 13th of 17, 16l behind Sophisticated Heir (8-11) at Leopardstown 7f in Mar.
Raydari (FR) 16-1 (9-9) Raced in 8th, pushed along early straight and no extra over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 31l behind Hisaabaat (9-10) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp 50-80 hvy in Apr.
Snow Scene (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders improved to dispute lead and ridden 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo mdn stks pol in Nov beating Deep Speed (9-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Zeftan (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Egyptian Warrior (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Apr.
