chased leaders in 4th, ridden and went 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no impression
dwelt, soon chased leader in 2nd, led travelling well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up in last, ridden on outer entering straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out
broke well and led, ridden and headed 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra
The three-year-old Zunera landed the odds in a maiden here in October but the form hasn't worked out and she makes her handicap debut. Master Speaker has returned to action in good form on Turf though he's only won once in 17 starts and his best form has been over an extra furlong. CHICLET has always been consistent but has now found a way to win races and followed her victory at Navan in October with an impressive course and distance success early this month, when Strategic Heights was well beaten. She's been hit with an 8lb rise but looks the type to continue making progress. Mr Good Guy is gradually coming down the weights but along with Fast In The Wind has a long absence to overcome.
Master Speaker (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, led 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind In Salutem (9-3) at Curragh 6f hcp.
Fast In The Wind (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Waited with towards rear, 6th 2f out, switched right 1f out, no impression under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Timeless Call (9-8) at Dundalk 5f lst stks 2yo (1) pol in Oct '13.
Chiclet (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Dwelt, held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, headway travelling strongly to lead 2f out, soon went clear, pushed out and stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 5f app hcp pol beating Oor Jock (9-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Mr Good Guy (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Dwelt, soon pushed along, 7th approaching halfway, soon switched right, chased leaders 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong,, 7th of 17, 1 1/2l behind Prince Connoisseur (8-10) at Curragh 5f hcp gf in Sep.
Strategic Heights (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Led, joined halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 7l behind Chiclet (9-3) at Dundalk 5f app hcp pol.
Zunera (IRE) 8-11fav (9-0) Soon tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged travelling smoothly from 2f out, soon pushed along, led under 1f out, stayed on well to assert, comfortably, won at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct beating Well Done Me (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
