led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, weakened
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight and soon no extra, weakened
held up in rear, progress travelling well in straight to go 3rd 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no extra under 2f out
towards rear, never a factor, 10th halfway, pushed along and no impression over 1f out, no extra
mid-division, 8th on outer halfway, progress in straight and ridden to lead 150 yards out, kept on well
mid-division on inner, 6th halfway, progress to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and headed 150 yards out, no extra
rear of mid-division, ran freely, 9th halfway, pushed along and 8th 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd 2f out, ridden in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
Maontri completed a four timer here at the beginning of last year and scored twice on Turf in the summer. WEXFORD OPERA followed his victory at the Curragh from a mark of 80 with two reasonable runs off 84 so it's a surprise to see him being dropped to 1lb lower than his winning mark and, for that reason, he gets the vote in a very tricky finale. Long Journey Home narrowly saw off Reckless Lad over track and trip last month and the runner up has since gone one better. Walk Of Shame started out in bumpers and over hurdles but showed much improved form to land a maiden here three weeks ago while Zuberi has changed stables since landing a claimer for Ger Lyons and he's on the upgrade after just four runs. Hat Alnasar had been threatening to win for some time before doing so here last month and looks likely to make further progress while Marise won here in February and returned to the track last month where she did very well to land a handicap over 1m2f.
Maontri (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Tracked leader on outer, 2nd halfway, ridden from 2f out and weakened from over 1f out, 8th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Don't Be (9-6) at Dundalk 1m lst fll stks (1) pol in Oct.
Roachdale House (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along into straight, no impression over 1f out, 7th of 9, 5l behind Reckless Lad (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Wexford Opera (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Took keen hold, prominent, led after 3f, attempted to assert from under 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Laganore (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gd in Oct.
Long Journey Home (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Soon led, pushed along from 2f out and joined over 1f out, kept on best inside final furlong to prevail close home, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct beating Reckless Lad (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Held up, pushed along and progress straight, switched right 2f out, progress from over 1f out, soon challenged, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov beating Toccata Blue (8-10) by nk, 9 ran.
Zuberi (IRE) Evensfav (9-5) Made most, headed halfway, regained lead over 2f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct beating Laharde (9-5) by 1l, 12 ran.
Talented Kid 7-2 (10-2) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 5l behind Marise (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Political Policy (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Held up, pushed along approaching straight, wandered slightly from 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Reckless Lad (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Hat Alnasar (IRE) 6-4fav (9-10) Made all, ridden under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct beating Red Words (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Great Wide Open (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Towards rear, 19th from halfway and pushed along, no extra from over 1f out, 18th of 22, 15 3/4l behind George Bowen (8-13) at Curragh 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Marise (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 7th halfway, some progress approaching straight, challenged 2f out and ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct beating Poitin (10-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Walk Of Shame 14-1 (9-8) Soon led and made all, pressed from early straight and soon ridden, asserted inside final furlong and stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Oct beating Bridle Path (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
