chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd and bumped slightly 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, just failed
chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon edged left, no impression final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, 2nd 2f out, dropped to 5th 1f out, no impression, eased close home
dwelt, held up in rear of mid-division early, progress entering straight, close 4th and short of room 2f out,, went 3rd and ridden under 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
made all, ridden under 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, all out
always towards rear, trailing entering straight, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
slowly into stride and in rear, progress entering straight, ridden in 6th 2f out, progress on outer inside final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride and always behind, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
CLUTCHINGATSTRAWS (NAP) looked a progressive filly when landing her maiden here in December and there's a good chance she's better than an 80-rated handicapper. She can progress again and take this though Tomorrow Morning, who was behind her that night, should get a bit closer at the revised weights with Pat Smullen taking over the reins. Song Of Love got his head in front in a maiden three weeks ago though Adventureman, who was a very close third, has a fine chance of reversing the form under today's race conditions but fifth-placed Behind Bars looks held. Deemah has been looking one-paced over shorter but Ace Of Arts has been sprinting and should be suited by stepping up in trip while Whats The Plot hasn't shown much to date though makes his handicap debut from a lowly mark.
Clutchingatstraws 4-7fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, travelled well to lead under 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn fll pol in Dec beating Pretty Love (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Song Of Love (IRE) 11-10fav (8-12) Mid-division, progress and pushed along on outer over 2f out, ridden in 5th under 2f out, went close 3rd 1f out, disputed lead under pressure inside final furlong, stayed on well, led on line, won at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn stks pol beating Hat Alnasar (9-5) by hd, 12 ran.
Adventureman 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division on inner, progress into 6th and ridden 2f out, headway into 2nd briefly 1f out, soon 3rd, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Song Of Love (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn stks pol.
Deemah (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, progress under 2f out and went 3rd 150 yards out, no impression and kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Charlie Bear (9-7) at Dundalk 7f 3yo stks pol.
Tomorrow Morning (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, switched right and ridden over 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Lily's Rainbow (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Behind Bars (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Led and took keen hold early, ridden 2f out and soon wandered around briefly, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Song Of Love (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn stks pol.
Whats The Plot (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 8th halfway, no impression over 1f out, no extra, 10th of 14, 11l behind Charlie Bear (9-5) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn stks pol in Jan.
Ace Of Arts (IRE) 10-3 (9-1) In rear, pushed along at times, under pressure approaching straight, closed 2f out, soon switched right in 3rd, one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Showcard (9-6) at Dundalk 6f 3yo hcp pol in Jan.
