chased leaders, 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, close 3rd 2f out, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders, 3rd 3f out, disputed lead and ridden 2f out, soon headed, no impression over 1f out
slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden in moderate 10th 2f out, soon no impression, never a factor
mid-division, 6th 3f out, progress 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden in 7th 2f out, soon no impression
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened quickly
mid-division and took keen hold, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, never a factor
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden in last on outer 2f out, some modest progress inside final furlong
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden in 9th and progress 2f out, went 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
mid-division, closer in 5th and ridden on outer 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong
The bookies will be running for cover seeing one of Tony Martin's lightly-raced fillies at the bottom of the handicap and there's no doubt Ballad Dancer showed a bit of potential when last seen here in October. However, the form pick has to be CRISTY'S CALL on his short-head defeat by the unexposed Poker Gold last week though that was over 1m4f which appears to suit him best. Winning hurdler Habesh is another who prefers a longer trip and he's never won over this short while it's two years since Balmont Flyer was at his best and he hasn't run since August. My Manekineko never won in 14 starts on the all-weather in the UK and is still looking high enough in the weights.
Habesh (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway over 3f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Trimoulet (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6).
Balmont Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Prominent and led after 2f, headed approaching straight, soon no extra and weakened, last of 7, well behind Wither Hills (11-4) at Curragh 1m 4f ldy hcp gf in Jul.
My Manekineko 25-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, effort on outside 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 8l behind Lady Sylvia (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Raydari (FR) 11-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon towards rear in 12th, last before straight where raced on outer, no impression 2f out, eased from over 1f out,, 12th of 14, 33l behind Well Insured (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
Cristy's Call (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden into 8th 2f out, stayed on in 5th 1f out, ran on well final furlong and just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Poker Gold (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Table Forty Six (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, no extra over 1f out, 12th of 16, 13l behind Equation Of Time (9-11) at Listowel 1m hcp gd in Sep.
Authorative (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon weakened quickly, 12th of 14, 11l behind Gun Shoot (9-8) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp 47-65 gf in Jul.
General Bunching (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden and some progress in 7th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 12th of 14, 5l behind Sharjah (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-75 pol in Dec.
Horsewithnoname (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, 11th of 14, 8l behind Mount Flora (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
King Of Oriel (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Fly leapt from stalls, in rear, pushed along and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Noverre Princess (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Tale Of Fame (ITY) 66-1 (8-3) Always towards rear, no impression 2f out, 10th of 14, 12l behind Poker Gold (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Ballad Dancer (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 5l behind Tight Times (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
