held up, ridden towards rear 3f out, no extra over 2f out
soon led, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
dwelt and towards rear, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, closer but ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, soon no extra
soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, led narrowly 2 1/2f out, ridden 2f out, joined 1f out, held in 2nd close home
dwelt and held up, ridden towards rear 2f out, no impression
held up behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
disputed briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, disputed 1f out, edged ahead close home
Machiavelli, having his first start for Denis Hogan, looks capable of winning a race of this nature off a mark of 72 but makes his debut on the surface and hasn't run since June. Lady De Vesci has won three races here since October but shot up the weights as a consequence and looked a few pounds high on her latest start. Political Policy, eight times a winner here, alternates between the Flat and hurdles nowadays and almost gained his 12th career success over timber at Thurles last month. He ran well for a long way in a better race over 2m here a fortnight ago so has to be respected. STRONGHOLD had shown some potential in maidens before making his handicap debut over the extended 1m2f here last week where he was well supported. He couldn't quite get to Mcguigan, who was receiving 6lb, but has been left on the same mark and can go one better. California Lad's three course victories have been over shorter while Bibliotheca is 10lb higher than her only victory, which came on Turf.
Fern Owl 33-1 (9-5) Led, joined 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, no extra 2f out, last of 8, 19 1/2l behind All's Quiet (8-8) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Political Policy (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 8, 3 3/4l behind All's Quiet (8-8) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
Itsalonglongroad 12-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outer into 5th 4f out, pushed along and lost place early straight, no extra, 9th of 12, 14 1/4l behind Park Row (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Lady De Vesci (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and some headway 2f out, soon ridden and 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Park Row (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
California Lad 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and lost place entering straight, soon no impression in rear, no extra, 13th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Jake Peter (9-5) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Machiavelli 10-3jfav (9-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out and no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Sheila's Hope (9-2) at Naas 1m 2f hcp gf in Jun.
Trump Card (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Prominent early, mid-division on inner after 4f, pushed along early straight and no impression in rear of mid-division under 2f out, kept on one pace outer final furlong, 6th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Jake Peter (9-5) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Iron Blue (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt, towards rear, headway from halfway, no extra from over 1f out, 13th of 15, 13 3/4l behind Vocal Music (9-4) at Curragh 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Aug.
Stronghold (FR) 9-4fav (8-13) Mid-division on inner, pushed along 2f out and ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mcguigan (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Bibliotheca (JPN) 33-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, bumped by rival after 1f, 5th halfway, driven along approaching straight, some headway 2f out and ridden in 3rd 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/4l behind Too Precious (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
