tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, smooth progress in straight and led 1f out, pushed out to assert and kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, soon strongly pressed and headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong
led, ridden entering straight and headed 2f out, no impression in 3rd over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
slowly away, held up in rear, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra, weakened
TANDEM is in cracking form and followed his victory at Tipperary with a close fourth in a lucrative premier handicap at the Curragh. He has a smart opponent to beat here but may just be capable of doing so. Intisari is making up for lost time after a slow start to his career and followed his Navan victory with a very impressive success in a handicap here last month after which he was raised a massive 16lb. Ayahuasca, a prolific winner at a high level in South America, finished last in two starts at Meydan in the spring and on his debut in Ireland in June while General Bunching has a mountain to climb on official figures.
Tandem 10-1 (9-8) Held up, 15th early, 13th 3f out, switched right under 2f out, improved to challenge 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 21, 1 1/4l behind Torcedor (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
Intisari (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, travelled well to lead 2f out, asserted and drifted left 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug beating Royal Navy Ship (9-4) by 4l, 14 ran.
Ayahuasca (USA) 33-1 (9-10) Always in rear, ridden 4f out, no extra 2f out, last of 10, 22 1/4l behind Kingfisher (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.
General Bunching (USA) 25-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Kilbeggan 2m hcp gd in Sep.