disputed lead early, soon led, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong
waited with, soon raced in 12th, headway straight, kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong
raced in 7th early, soon 5th, closed travelling smoothly into straight, no extra and one pace final furlong
raced in 9th early, soon 10th, headway and effort straight, no extra and one pace final furlong
waited with, soon raced in 11th, raced on inner straight, kept on same pace final furlong
took keen hold, raced in 5th early, soon 6th, no extra and one pace final furlong
dwelt, a little keen and waited with in rear, some headway straight, soon one pace
raced in 6th early, soon 7th, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
a little slow into stride and pushed along briefly, raced in 10th early, soon 8th, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong
raced in 8th early, soon 9th, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong
close up and disputed lead early, prominent, pushed along into straight, no extra from over 1f out
soon raced in 4th, challenged from 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
disputed lead early, prominent, challenged from 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Ado McGuinness has three entries here. Raphael has joined the yard after carrying a big weight to victory in a Leopardstown handicap in July but has never run here. SIRJACK THOMAS has done well since tackling this course two runs ago. He appeared to find a mile just too far last time but his earlier run, when beaten 4l by Geological over the trip, shows he's well handicapped as he was conceding 10lb to the subsequent winner and will be 6lb better off. Mutadaawel is still a maiden and continues to climb the weights without winning but Katiymann was just in front of the selection last time though behind on his previous run. No Speed Limit came with a late run to catch Outside Inside last month but the latter should reverse the form on the revised terms.
Geological (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Soon close up, on terms after 2f, gained narrow lead from before halfway, pressed straight, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov beating Gordon Lord Byron (10-1) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Katiymann (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, closer travelling well over 1f out, soon switched left and kept on well inside final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Innamorare (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Raphael (GER) 11-4fav (10-0) Disputed lead early, soon chased leaders, 5th approaching halfway, switched right 2f out, challenged and on terms over 1f out, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, kept on well to just prevail, won at Leopardstown 1m hcp gf in Jul beating Phoenix Open (9-2) by shd, 8 ran.
Sirjack Thomas (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders and took keen hold early, mid-division halfway, switched left and headway 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and 2nd 150 yards out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Innamorare (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Mutadaawel (IRE) 5-4fav (10-2) Prominent, soon 2nd, slightly bumped with rival under 2f out, soon on terms, headed over 1f out and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Count Of Carabass (8-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Never Back Down (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Impeded inside first furlong, soon raced in 10th, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching principals from over 1f out, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Geological (8-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Nordic Passage (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) A little slow into stride, towards rear, raced on inner straight, soon headway and effort, one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 13, 4 3/4l behind Geological (8-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
No Speed Limit (FR) 16-1 (10-1) Soon chased leaders, 5th approaching halfway, switched right over 1 1/2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct beating Outside Inside (10-1) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Angels 11-2 (10-3) Mid-division early, 7th approaching halfway, switched right 2f out towards outer and effort, challenged inside final furlong, kept on without matching principals, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind No Speed Limit (10-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Ducky Mallon (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Raced in close 8th early, no extra from over 1f out, 15th of 18, 2 3/4l behind Tide Of Time (8-13) at Naas 5f hcp hvy in Nov.
Emphatic (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Soon raced in 5th, bumped with rival on opening bend, travelling smoothly into straight, effort from 2f out, no extra and one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Latchet (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Highly Approved (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, challenged early straight, pushed along under 2f out and no extra inside final furlong, weakened, 8th of 13, 6l behind Innamorare (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Outside Inside (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Soon disputed lead, headed inside first 2f, prominent, on terms again from 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, headed closing stages, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind No Speed Limit (10-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
