held up in rear, progress on outer in straight and 2nd 1f out, led 100 yards out and kept on well
led, ridden and headed under 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, progress in 2nd approaching straight and led under 2f out, ridden 1f out, headed 100 yards out and no impression on winner
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ran freely, 3rd approaching straight, ridden and no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace
Lake Champlain scored over 1m4f here in October and has won over hurdles so the trip should pose no problems. SHALAMAN is the top rated here and completed a double on the track last spring over 1m2f. He's never been further than 1m4f but has a stout middle-distance pedigree and is expected to get home on this surface. Mandatario is second top-ranked but became a bit disappointing last season after a promising reappearance following a long absence. He wouldn't still be with Jim Bolger unless thought capable of winning races. Modem's four victories last year included a tough handicap at Galway and he completed a double over hurdles in the autumn while Bittern showed the trip held no terrors when a close third here last month and she has more scope than any of her rivals.
Mandatario 8-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Tooreen Legend (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Modem 11-4 (9-8) Disputed lead, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Saga Bolton (8-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Shalaman (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Ran 5th, ridden under 2f out and close 4th 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 1/2l behind Marise (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb.
Lake Champlain (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in 5th, impeded 5th where left 4th, closed and not fluent 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out in 2nd, soon no impression, 2nd of 6, 19l behind Missy Tata (10-5) at Down Royal 2m Yielding in Oct.
Bittern (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Chased leaders in 3rd and pulled hard, improved to dispute lead 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon dropped to 3rd and no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Saga Bolton (8-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.