soon led, travelling smoothly straight, pushed along 1 1/2f out, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong
raced in 3rd early, soon 2nd, pushed along 2f out, kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
pushed along briefly early, raced in 5th, pushed along again approaching halfway, one pace straight
a little slow into stride, in rear, pushed along 2f out and one pace
raced in 2nd early, a little keen, soon 3rd, pushed along straight, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
raced in 4th, a little keen, pushed along straight, no extra and one pace from over 1f out
DARK VADER beat a subsequent winner when scoring over 7f here in November then found a mile just beyond him a month later. He should have enough pace for this though stable companion Pip's Edge, a €150,000 yearling, is by Gleneagles out of the very speedy Pipalong so is one to keep an eye on in the market. Power Ahead made a promising start here in November and put the experience to good use later that month when just getting up and there should be more to come. Talking Tough looks next best though has plenty to find on official figures.
Dark Vader (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) Disputed lead early, soon raced in 3rd, travelling smoothly straight, soon on terms, headed and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Choice Of Mine (9-2) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Power Ahead (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) 6th early, soon raced in 7th, headway and effort straight, challenged and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, led near finish, won at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Nov beating Never Before (9-5) by nk, 14 ran.
Talking Tough (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra, last of 14, 10 1/4l behind Leadership Race (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Tommy The Hat (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division early, raced on outer, 6th approaching halfway, no extra from over 1f out, 12th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Vatican City (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct.
Briseuse De Coeur (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway between horses to challenge under 2f out, 3rd and ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Music To My Ears (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Nov.
Pip's Eagle (IRE) Gleneagles filly out of Pipalong.