settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong and drifted right, headed last strides
held up, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 2f out, soon ridden, no extra 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, no extra in 5th 2f out, eased inside final furlong
held up towards rear, trailing halfway, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace straight
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, kept on final furlong to lead last strides
Andy Oliver has done a fine job placing Mutasareb to complete a hat-trick but he's now 30lb higher than when his winning run began in November and looks up against it here. He was beaten over 2l by Tribes And Banner here last month and though the latter went in again a couple of weeks ago he is still better off with Mutasareb. Paramount was just behind Tribes And Banner last time but the winner had a bit in hand while the top pair were both behind Flavia Tatiana here last time and look a few pounds high. Strandfield Lady had a busy 2011 running 15 times but was still in good form when last seen and should have been freshened up by the break. SHIELDMAIDEN looked a progressive type when gaining her second success in a short space of time at Wolverhampton and, as she was tackling much stronger opposition last time, she can return to winning ways.
Reggae Rock (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 11, 6l behind Flavia Tatiana (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Confidence (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Soon mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 11, 9l behind Flavia Tatiana (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Mutasareb (USA) 13-8fav (9-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, edged left, ridden and challenged 1f out, disputed inside final furlong, edged ahead last strides, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol beating Johnnys Legacy (9-1) by shd, 14 ran.
Strandfield Lady (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway entering straight, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Master Melody (7-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Shieldmaiden (USA) 11-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 9l behind Junoob (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol.
Paramount (FR) 9-1 (12-0) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 3f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, soon disputed, headed final 150 yards, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Tribes And Banner (11-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway in 7th 2f out, 3rd and challenged 1f out, ridden to lead last 150 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol beating Paramount (12-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
