disputed early, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway travelling well early straight and led under 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
prominent and led after 1f, ridden and headed under 2f out, no impression in 4th over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden early straight and no impression under 2f out, no extra in 5th from over 1f out
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along approaching straight, ridden in 8th over 2f out, no extra over 1f out
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and some headway early straight, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and lost place quickly early straight, soon no extra, eased inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, pushed along in 6th early straight, ridden and no impression on outer over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong to go moderate 4th close home
rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along approaching straight and no impression under 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway on inner early straight and ridden in 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and some headway on outer approaching straight, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra
Arbourfield and Geological have won ten races between them around here though have had a total of 72 runs. Neither can be dismissed in this company though are up against in-form rivals. Ahlan Bil Zain stayed on strongly to land a 7f handicap last month before an unlucky in-running effort a week later. The longer trip won't be a problem nor will it be for EQUITANT. A winner over the trip at Chelmsford for Richard Fahey, he made a successful debut for new connections over 7f last week and a 4lb penalty doesn't look enough to prevent a follow-up. Pulsating is an obvious threat. He's changed stables three times in recent weeks having won a handicap and a claimer and Gavin Cromwell will get the best out of him. Shifted Strategy landed a Listowel handicap on heavy going but has never run here.
Equitant 6-4fav (9-10) Prominent and disputed early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge on inner 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov beating Mr Ormsby (9-2) by hd, 8 ran.
Geological (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Led, ridden and pressed 2f out, joined 1 1/2f out, headed last 150 yards, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Amanaat (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
Polly Glide (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, improved to dispute lead and ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Spiorad Saoirse (9-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct.
Shifted Strategy (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Pushed along briefly early, prominent and raced in 3rd, closed up halfway, soon on terms, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Listowel 1m hcp hvy in Sep beating Dharma Rain (8-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Arbourfield (IRE) 4-1fav (9-12) Pushed along to soon lead, pressed straight, headed inside final furlong and one pace, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Confrontational (9-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Pushaq (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened, last of 10, 7 1/4l behind Spiorad Saoirse (9-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct.
Ahlan Bil Zain (FR) 5-4fav (10-4) Mid-division, pushed along and short of room from 2f out, 9th when switched right 1f out and ridden, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd close home, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Arlecchino's Rock (8-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Pulsating (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, improved into 3rd 3f out, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Dundalk 7f fll pol in Oct beating Kindly (9-10) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Reverberation 9-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, ran freely, some headway on inner early straight, ridden under 2f out and no impression inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Too Precious (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Alhajjaj 20-1 (8-12) In rear, some progress 2f out, soon ridden, moderate 6th 1f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Spiorad Saoirse (9-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct.
