chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and close up 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
mid-division, 9th halfway, 7th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on to dispute 2nd closing stages, 3rd close home
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 10th 1f out, kept on one pace
disputed early, soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, 8th 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, led after 3f, headed 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra 1f out
mid-division, ridden and no extra 2f out
soon led, headed after 3f, regained lead 4f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, clipped heels, stumbled and unseated rider after 1 1/2f
held up towards rear, ridden into 8th 2f out, kept on final furlong
Six of these have won over the C&D including Aladdins Cave, who followed his victory over hurdles at Fairyhouse with his second success on this course. Shake The Bucket was raised 5lb for last month's victory and just failed to hold off Roe Deer last week so could have done without another 2lb rise. DISCOVERY BAY has finished behind both Aladdins Cave and Shake The Bucket recently though on both occasions was unlucky in-running. He's not the easiest of rides but hopefully the gaps will appear this time and he's handed the vote. Atmospheric High and Bensoon are very closely matched on their 1-2 here in October and both arrive in good form while Formal Bid and Rigoletta have to be considered in a tough contest to call.
Aladdins Cave 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, chased leader in 4th entering straight, headway to challenge final furlong, kept on under pressure to lead inside final 100 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating King Of Aran (9-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Denny Crane 5-1 (8-13) Towards rear, some progress 4f out, ridden in 7th entering straight, went moderate 5th inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 10l behind Ansgar (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Splendid Light 8-1 (9-9) Headway to press leader 8f out, led narrowly 7f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when no chance final furlong, 10th of 12, 23l behind Aldwick Bay (9-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Shake The Bucket (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, challenged under pressure in 2nd and every chance from 1f out, stayed on well, not quite match winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Roe Deer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
Discovery Bay 8-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, got no run from 2f out, stayed on well without getting to 1st 2 inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Roe Deer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
The Fox Tully (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Towards rear, some headway early straight and ridden in 9th 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Aladdins Cave (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Atmospheric High (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Towards rear, headway entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, led over 1f out, strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f 3yo stks pol beating Manuka (9-4) by nk, 14 ran.
Rockazar 25-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, keen hold, 7th approaching straight, no impression from 2f out, 13th of 14, 11l behind Roe Deer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol.
Rigoletta (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, closer in 4th 2f out, 3rd and kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 3rd of 10 Valbucca (8-8) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp hvy in Oct.
Moo Sahara (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, weakened from 3f out, eased 1 1/2f out, last of 14, 28l behind Atmospheric High (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f 3yo stks pol.
Bensoon 3-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride and in rear, some headway entering straight, ridden in 9th 2f out, went 7th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Cottesloe (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Moveable Asset (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden in 7th 2f out, no extra, 7th of 14, 7l behind Atmospheric High (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f 3yo stks pol.
Formal Bid (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Somemothersdohavem (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Regal Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, 6th entering straight, not clear run 2f out and soon switched to outer, kept on on outer final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Asian Wing (8-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 pol.
Clonsilla Fath (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Mid-division, no impression from 3f out, 9th of 16, 10l behind First Friday (8-11) at Cork 1m 4f hcp 47-65 sft in Jun.
