held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, closer in 4th but under pressure 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace
very slowly away, recovered and towards rear after 1f, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
led after 1f, soon clear, reduced advantage and pushed along 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, closer but under pressure 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, headed after 1f and soon moderate 2nd, ridden 2f out, stayed on and closer 1f out, kept on final furlong without reaching winner
dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along in 5th 3f out, ridden into 4th 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Every one of these has won over the track and most over the distance. Jon Ess has won twice here, both over 7f, but has no problems with the extra and stayed on very strongly to catch the consistent Togoville last time. The once-useful Elleval has a very poor strike-rate for such a classy sprinter. His three career victories have come here and at Meydan and it's a very long time since he won. Russian Soul is another who has seen much better days but he's back with Michael Halford after a spell in the UK. ANOTHER STORY made a winning debut here as a juvenile then won on his only start the following year, again on this track. He completed a hat-trick of course victories last March after which he was very highly tried and has now dropped to a winnable mark. Reckless Lad won a claimer last month and has since landed a handicap and can never be ruled out on his favourite track, a remark that also applies to the remaining trio in a tight handicap.
Elleval (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out, last of 8, 14 1/4l behind Clear Skies (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Another Story (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Realtra (9-8) at Tipperary 7f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Aug.
Russian Soul (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, last of 6, 6 1/2l behind Captain Joy (9-2) at Dundalk 1m pol in Jan.
Beach Bar (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders on outer, ran freely, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out and soon no impression, no extra 1f out, 7th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Jon Ess (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
Aussie Valentine (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Raced in 2nd, pushed along 3f out, 3rd over 2f out, weakened and eased 1f out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Riven Light (9-9) at Listowel 1m 1f lst stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Jon Ess (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, switched left and ridden in 3rd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb beating Togoville (9-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Red Avenger (USA) 10-3 (9-4) Settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well to challenge over 1 1/2f out, ridden to dispute 1f out, headed final 100 yards, no extra close home and dropped to 3rd, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Reckless Lad (9-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Held up towards rear, progress under 2f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out, soon disputed, led final 100 yards, kept on well under pressure close home, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb beating Carried (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
