tracked leaders on inner, 2nd halfway, headway travelling well to lead 2f out, pushed along to assert inside final furlong, stayed on well, easily
held up towards rear, pushed along and some headway under 2f out, 7th over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, pushed along early straight and soon headed, no extra over 1f out, weakened
mid-division, ridden 2f out and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, headway on outer approaching straight, travelled well to challenge over 2f out, pushed along in 2nd over 1f out and no impression on winner inside final furlong
tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, pushed along and dropped towards rear early straight, weakened, eased inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along and some headway under 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, ridden and some headway on outer under 2f out, 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
towards rear, never a factor, ridden 2f out and kept on one pace outer from over 1f out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression early straight, ridden and no extra under 2f out, weakened
slowly into stride, towards rear, never a factor, ridden and some headway under 2f out, no impression 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
Many of these are multiple winners on the track including Reckless Lad, who has won eight times around here. He has a bit to do at the weights as does Our Manekineko, six times successful here, and Beau Satchel, another with a good record. Hasselnott has won twice in the past few weeks including a similar race over the course and distance after which he joined Ger Lyons. He's greatly respected while Yuften, the 2016 Balmoral Handicap winner at Ascot, has joined John Feane and will be having his first start for the yard. THAT IS THE SPIRIT has run in better company and landed a tough handicap at Gowran in June. He's a rare runner over a trip this far but looks to have as good a chance as any in a difficult race to evaluate.
Yuften 25-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 16, 9 1/4l behind Just Hiss (8-7) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Red Avenger (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Waited with, soon raced in 12th, some headway and effort on outer early straight, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Hasselnott (9-5) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
That Is The Spirit 33-1 (9-12) Disputed lead, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 9 1/4l behind King's Field (9-6) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Alcatraz (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Dwelt and held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Equitant (9-10) at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov.
Hasselnott 14-1 (9-5) A little keen, raced in 8th early, soon 7th, headway and effort straight, wandered about and led inside final furlong, soon asserted and stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov beating Georgian Bay (9-3) by 3l, 14 ran.
Metamorphic Rock (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Led or disputed lead, headed halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight and no extra 1 1/2f out, weakened, 7th of 10, 25l behind South East (9-5) at Listowel 1m mdn hvy in Sep.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Raced in 9th early, soon 8th, closed travelling smoothly early straight, soon pushed along and kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Hasselnott (9-5) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Tennesse Waltz (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Raced in 5th early, led after 3f, strongly pressed straight, headed and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Hasselnott (9-5) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Beau Satchel 12-1 (8-12) Raced in 4th early, soon 5th, pushed along approaching straight, no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Hasselnott (9-5) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Our Manekineko 16-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, pushed along 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, never a factor, 10th of 14, 8 3/4l behind My Lark (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Sep.
Seanie (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon close up and disputed, pushed along approaching straight, soon lost position and no extra final furlong, last of 12, 11 3/4l behind Captain Power (9-8) at Dundalk 6f pol in Nov.
Santorini Sun (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Slowly away and in rear, no impression from 2f out, some modest late progress, 7th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Pulsating (9-4) at Dundalk 7f fll pol in Oct.
