soon led, ridden under 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out and headed 150 yards out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, ran freely, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression on outer over 1f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, some headway on inner early straight, ridden over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong
slowly away, towards rear, ridden under 2f out and 8th over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well between horses inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden early straight and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no impression over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, kept on well
broke well, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out and headway to challenge 1f out, under pressure inside final furlong and no extra closing stages
mid-division, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no impression over 1f out
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
Grey Danube, who won this last year and is on a 4lb lower mark, is one of seven course and distance winners in the line-up. Invincible Ryker has won his last three over the track and trip and had Arbourfield, Artistic Melody, Ishebayorgrey and Mokhalad following him home a fortnight ago with Rivellino and ALCATRAZ further behind. The winner did just enough and should again beat his closest pursuers but the latter, who was well supported after a promising first run for new connections, lost all chance at the start and though getting close enough at one stage had nothing left in the closing stages. He can gain compensation though there are plenty of dangers including Tennesse Waltz and Rummaging at the bottom of the handicap.
Grey Danube (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Led, ridden under 2f out and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Katiymann (8-5) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Invincible Ryker (IRE) 10-3fav (9-8) Rear of mid-division on outer, ridden and some headway over 1f out, led 100 yards out and edged left, kept on well, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan beating Arbourfield (9-3) by 1l, 13 ran.
Queensbrydge 14-1 (9-7) Towards rear for most, ridden towards outer 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace, 11th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Settle For Bay (9-0) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Alcatraz (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Slowly away, detached in rear, some headway on outer in straight, kept on one pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Invincible Ryker (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Arbourfield (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Broke well and led early, tracked leaders, pushed along and headway to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and headed 100 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Invincible Ryker (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Artistic Melody (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden and headway to challenge 1 1/2f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Invincible Ryker (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Ishebayorgrey (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and some headway over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Invincible Ryker (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Rivellino 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, weakened, 9th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Invincible Ryker (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Mokhalad 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden and led briefly 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Invincible Ryker (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Sheisdiesel 7-2fav (9-13) Slowly away, in rear, ridden on inner 2f out, went 7th 1f out, no impression, 8th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Mokhalad (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Rummaging (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) In rear, ridden in 10th 2f out, 8th on outer 1f out, kept on well without threatening to go 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Mokhalad (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Tennesse Waltz (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden and no impression on outer 1 1/2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Lady Rosebud (9-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
