in rear and took keen hold, briefly short of room and switched right 2f out, soon ridden, 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, never nearer
upset in stalls, slowly into stride and always behind, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
mid-division on inner, took keen hold, 5th and briefly short of room 2f out, soon ridden, 3rd 1f out, kept on in 2nd inside final furlong
prominent early, led after 1f, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
led early, headed after 1f, improved to dispute lead 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
slowly into stride, rear of mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
rear of mid-division, ridden in 9th 2f out, 6th 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 4th 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders on outer, pushed along 2f out, briefly short of room over 1f out, no impression on leaders when checked inside final furlong, kept on without threatening close home
Urban Beat, who won this last year, had Master Matt two lengths behind in a Curragh premier handicap when conceding 7lb but was beaten by that rival off levels at Tipperary last time though wasn’t suited by softer conditions. HARRY’S BAR beat The Highway Rat here three weeks ago to gain his third course victory and can confirm the form for victory number four. Charles Hills sends May Sonic, five-times a Polytrack winner, over from the UK in the hope of earning some black type while Karl Burke’s Lady In France looks best of her stable’s pair and is no forlorn hope despite her only all-weather run come with a victory on Tapeta at Newcastle.
Harry's Bar 7-4 (9-12) Waited with, 7th approaching straight, soon closed travelling smoothly, led over 1f out, asserted and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f pol in Oct beating The Highway Rat (9-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Master Matt 20-1 (10-0) Led and disputed on far side, ridden and headed 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 22, 3l behind Big Gossey (8-11) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
May Sonic 15-8 (9-11) Led after 1f, headed and outpaced inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 2 3/4l behind Roulston Scar (9-7) at Chelmsford City 6f stks (2) pol in Sep.
Strong Johnson (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, 4th and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 10th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Power Under Me (9-7) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
The Highway Rat (IRE) 6-4fav (9-12) A little keen, tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, not much room briefly from 2f out, chased winner and kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Harry's Bar (9-12) at Dundalk 5f pol in Oct.
Urban Beat (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) Stumbled slightly leaving stalls, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Master Matt (9-9) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) Yielding in Aug.
Dandalla (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Slowly away, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 13th of 15, 15 3/4l behind A Case Of You (9-10) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct.
Lady In France (9-7) 9th of 15, 8 3/4l behind A Case Of You (9-10) at ParisLongchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct.
Stormy Girl (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Soon led, strongly pressed and joined from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace after, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Art Power (9-7) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
