mid-division, headway under 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
rear of mid-division, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th 2f out, 6th 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway into 4th 2f out, ridden in 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led and disputed, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra in 2nd 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden into 9th 1f out, ran on well final furlong to 2nd on line
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra 2f out, weakened
mid-division, ridden 2f out, 8th 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out
towards rear for most, never a factor
soon led and disputed, ridden and weakened entering straight
Elusive Express hasn't been able to get his head in front and connections try him over a much longer trip. He's quite well treated and will be an obvious threat if staying. Chebona Bula's third spot here last time was the first time he's been placed in a dozen starts on the surface and he's still a couple of pounds high in the weights while Blue Cross Boy has a poor strike-rate with just one victory in 34 starts. WORD FOR WORD has become expensive to follow and his lone success came over a year ago but he ran his best race for some time over slightly further here last week and is taken to go one better.
Chebona Bula 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Tribes And Banner (11-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol.
Saint By Day (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 12th of 14, 19l behind Mutasareb (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol.
Rocky's Pride (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden in 9th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 6l behind Knockgraffon Lad (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Elusive Express (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) Rear of mid-division, headway into 8th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on final furlong to press winner close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Cool Athlete (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Word For Word (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind General Bunching (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Ma Ani (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 13l behind Mutasareb (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Naked Cowboy (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Prominent, close 3rd halfway, moderate 2nd 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 18, 20l behind Jills Ballet (9-2) at Curragh 1m app hcp 50-85 sft in Oct.
Brecan Boy (IRE) 20-1 (7-12) Never a factor, ridden along in rear entering straight, 13th of 14, 15l behind Master Melody (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo hcp 47-75 pol in Dec.
The Reek 33-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 12th of 14, 24l behind Melodie D'amour (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol.
Blue Cross Boy (USA) 12-1 (8-3) Mid-division, 8th halfway, 6th 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind General Bunching (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Cathrine De Medici (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 6th 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 14, 10l behind Heir To The Mint (8-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Optiflame (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression straight, 6th of 14, 12l behind Elwazeer (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
