always towards rear
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on again final furlong, hampered 100 yards out, no extra close home
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, edged left under pressure pressure 100 yards out, soon headed, no extra close home
always towards rear
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong to lead inside final 100 yards, all out
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 2f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear, trailing over 1f out
disputed early, soon chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
The versatile Pires has been well beaten over fences lately but is perfectly capable of winning this if anywhere near his best. Fantasy King looked well suited by 2m when landing a handicap here last month and this could prove too short but Reggae Rock was brought with a late run to score over the C&D last month and is an obvious danger to all. Master Melody took a long time to get off the mark but did so in god style over the C&D a week ago and will be difficult to keep out of the frame but if ULTRA COOL performs as well as she did when just touched off by Maggie Neary here a fortnight ago she should take this and gain her first all-weather success.
Curl Cat (USA) 7-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, eased over 1f out, last of 14, 14l behind Fountain Of Honour (9-8) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol.
Pires 40-1 (8-10) Dwelt in rear, headway over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 16th of 32, 8l behind Prince Of Johanne (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Baitsileir (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Rea of mid-division, took keen hold, pulled way through field to dispute 4f out, headed entering straight, soon no extra, eased when beaten over 1f out, 13th of 14, 30l behind Denny Crane (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Oct.
Fantasy King 9-4fav (9-4) Settled in mid-division, 5th halfway, switched right early straight, ridden to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong and kept on well under pressure, won at Dundalk 2m hcp 60-90 pol in Nov beating Talenti (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Monteriggioni (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 5l behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Reggae Rock (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway under 2f out, ridden into close 3rd 1f out, kept on well final furlong to challenge and led last strides, won at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (55-80) (3yo+) pol in Nov beating Acushladear (9-12) by hd, 14 ran.
Strandfield Lady (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, some headway in 7th on outer approaching straight, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Elizabeth Coffee (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Westtower Boy (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 4l behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Buccaneer Bob (IRE) 9-2 (8-5) Towards rear, 8th halfway, no extra from 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 10, 5l behind Elizabeth Coffee (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Forever Hope 40-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 7th of 12, 7l behind Aussie Blue (8-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep '10.
Ultra Cool (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on to challenge in 2nd 1f out, every chance close home, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Master Melody (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, headway to lead early straight, headed over 1f out, rallied strongly under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-75 pol beating Flavia Tatiana (9-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
