DARK VADER hadn't been beaten far in two starts in the summer and was always travelling nicely when scoring here last month. Joseph O'Brien's grey looks on the upgrade and can complete a double. Ocean Monarch caught the eye on his debut here and started favourite on a return visit, battling back to regain the lead over the trip. Choice Of Mine, a stable companion of the selection, was very well supported at Chelmsford and, though unable to repay the trust, ran a race full of promise. Stinglikeabee looked a likely future winner when narrowly beaten here in October and didn't get the run of the race last month though finished behind runner-up Karbasann, who can confirm the form and is another who should be winning soon.
Dark Vader (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) 3rd early, soon 2nd, closed up travelling smoothly straight, led 2f out, soon pushed along, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov beating Hieroglyphic (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Ocean Monarch (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along early straight and ridden in 2nd under 2f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov beating Numberoneson (9-5) by hd, 13 ran.
China's Storm (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) A little keen, soon raced in 7th, effort straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Dark Vader (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Choice Of Mine (AUS) 5-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Bullfinch (9-2) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Karbasann (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and headway under 2f out, ridden to challenge early final furlong and disputed briefly 100 yards out, headed close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Psyche (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov.
Stinglikeabee (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, switched right and bumped rival under 2f out, 4th and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Psyche (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov.
Third Avenue (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride and pushed along briefly, towards rear, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 11th of 14, 7 1/2l behind So Suave (9-1) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Clippings Of Tin (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, 12th of 14, 16l behind In The Present (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Dec.
