soon pushed along towards rear, no impression from 2f out, soon no extra
soon led, joined from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
a little keen, soon prominent in 2nd, travelling smoothly straight, on terms from 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out to assert and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably
dwelt, soon in rear, raced on outer straight, no impression under 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening
prominent, soon raced in 3rd, effort straight, kept on without troubling winner inside final furlong
mid-division early, soon raced in 6th, headway straight, soon effort on outer, kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong
close up early, soon raced in 4th, pushed along before straight, no impression under 2f out
dwelt and pushed along, soon raced in 8th, under pressure approaching halfway, no impression under 2f out
chased leaders, soon 5th, pushed along into straight, one pace final furlong
My Excelsa was staying on over this track and trip last month so did well to almost make all against the long odds-on Yale over the minimum three weeks ago. SCEPTICAL, who was a 25/1 chance for his debut that day, was staying on strongly so with that experience under his belt looks the one to beat. Eastern Star has had three runs here and his latest was easily the best, staying on gamely to snatch a place close home. Abanica has had six start in the UK and three in Ireland without showing much and like the remainder will need to show much more.
Bluesman 40-1 (9-5) Soon pushed along and raced in 11th, no impression from 2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 12, 31 1/4l behind These Days (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov.
Dom's Angel (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, weakened, last of 15, 20 3/4l behind Dancing On A Dream (9-5) at Bellewstown 1m mdn gd in Aug.
Old Colonial 100-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden in 7th and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 11 1/2l behind Dance Jupiter (9-5) at Cork 1m 1f mdn Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Sceptical 25-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, soon raced in 7th, closed travelling smoothy from before straight, pushed along and switched left 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Yale (9-5) at Dundalk 5f mdn pol in Oct.
Wisaka (IRE) Excelebration gelding out of April.
Abanica 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, 5th and ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 8l behind Blametheshady (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Eastern Star (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, some headway in 6th 2f out, pushed along and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Benedict Roezl (9-6) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Oct.
Frischs Joy (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Disputed lead early, soon chased leaders, pushed along approaching straight and raced towards outer, kept on same pace final furlong, 13th of 18, 8 1/4l behind Dare To Flare (9-8) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp gd in Jul.
Marge Gunderson 50-1 (9-2) A little slow into stride and pushed along briefly, led after 1f, joined over 2f out, soon headed, weakened from over 1f out, 11th of 12, 33 3/4l behind These Days (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov.
My Excelsa (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led early, tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, soon on terms, led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 8, hd behind Yale (9-5) at Dundalk 5f mdn pol in Oct.
Eye Of The Dragon (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression halfway, no threat from 1 1/2f out, 11th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Blametheshady (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
