prominent, ridden in close 2nd entering straight, weakened from under 2f out
led, ridden and strongly pressed under 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden in 5th on outer 2f out, close 3rd 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, strongly pressed winner to line
held up in touch, ridden in 6th 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
chased leaders on inner, ridden in 2nd 2f out, dropped to 4th 1f out, no impression
held up in rear, ridden entering straight, soon no impression
chased leaders, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure close home, all out
Shabra Emperor has a terrible strike-rate of 1-55 and was once again found wanting when tried over 1m3f last week. Gold Falcon came from well off the pace to finish a close third behind topweight Revolution a week ago and though beaten by Stoichkhov earlier that was over 7f and this is his trip. All are closely matched with the lightly-raced MERRY MAST, who looked in need of an extra furlong when third to Lily's Prince over 7f last week. The latter wears cheekpieces for the first time which may give him the edge. Benalex Park has never run on the surface but is just 4lb higher than his last victory on the Flat and scored over hurdles at Musselburgh on his latest racecourse visit in January. His stable also run Amazing Star, the winner of a poor event at Wolverhampton before catching the eye here a month ago.
Revolution (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 5th, progress early straight and ridden to lead 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m app hcp pol beating Zeftan (9-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge and led 150 yards out, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind The Ring Is King (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Amazing Star (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Rear of mid-division, progress on inner 2f out, reminder under 1f out, kept on under hands and heels close home, never nearer, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Reckless Lad (9-1) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Feb.
Gold Falcon (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ran freely, switched right and ridden in 7th 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Revolution (9-2) at Dundalk 1m app hcp pol.
Stoichkhov (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders and 4th halfway, ridden early straight and no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind Lily's Prince (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Benalex Park 3-1fav (9-3) Soon chased leaders, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind College Boy (9-12) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-65 hvy in May.
Merry Mast (USA) 3-1fav (9-7) Rear of mid-division, ridden and switched left under 2f out, progress into 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace under pressure, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Lily's Prince (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
