slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression under 2f out, no extra, kept on one pace final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression early straight, no extra
led, headed after 2f, 2nd halfway, ridden early straight and no extra under 2f out, weakened
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, pushed along 2f out and ridden in 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, never a factor, pushed along early straight and no impression in 7th over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along outer early straight, ridden in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
mid-division on outer, headway to track leaders after 2f and 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
mid-division on inner, pushed along 2f out and ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
prominent and led after 2f, ridden 2f out and kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division on outer, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra under 2f out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden in 6th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
Mcguigan went up 5lb for last month's course and distance victory and couldn't quite concede 9lb to Ragtime Red a fortnight ago and remains on the same mark. Ciao had been threatening to win for some time before landing a maiden and she doesn't look overburdened on a mark of 78. SHARJAH has won 15 races in a long career and has now dropped to his lowest mark since 2014. He was in the lead at this trip when tackling 1m4f last time and his rider's claim can enable him to get back to winning ways. Spruce Meadows hasn't won since August 2017 but that was in a better race than this off a higher mark. Stronghold makes his handicap debut after three runs and would have to be considered on his staying-on effort over 1m1f at Leopardstown.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Commander Won (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Admodum (USA) 25-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, ridden and no extra over 2f out, last of 10, 19 3/4l behind Commander Won (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Polly Glide (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden early straight and no impression under 2f out, no extra in 5th from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Equitant (10-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Ciao (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Broke well, tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and headway to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Jan beating Bright Eyed (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Pivotal Man 33-1 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 8, 7l behind Georgian Bay (9-4) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Alcander (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, no extra, 11th of 13, 26l behind Mezajy (10-7) at Wexford 2m hcp gd in May.
Carried (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Led, joined briefly approaching halfway, went on approaching straight, reduced lead from 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon slightly impeded and no extra, 10th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Kerosin (10-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Stronghold (FR) 5-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, never a factor, pushed along approaching straight and no impression under 2f out, no extra, 11th of 12, 15 3/4l behind Raynama (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Mcguigan (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Prominent and led after 1f, 4 lengths clear halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied under pressure to lead briefly 150 yards out, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Ragtime Red (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Sharjah (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Led after 1f, clear before halfway and 8 lengths advantage 5f out, ridden and reduced lead early straight, headed 1f out and soon no extra, 5th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Park Row (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Queluz (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-13) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Northern Surprise (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
