chased leaders in 3rd, ridden along and progress into 2nd entering straight, pressed winner 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
dwelt and off pace in last, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression in last
chased leader in 2nd, ridden and dropped to 3rd entering straight, soon no impression on leaders in moderate 3rd
broke well and made all, ridden and pressed 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
MAONTRI landed a handicap here at the beginning of the year from a mark of 59 and is now on 98 after completing her hat-trick in effortless style. She's given the nod to score again as though a line through Captain Cullen, runner-up to her last time, puts her close to Akasaka at these weights, she just comes out best. In Salutem started off the last campaign with a couple of excellent runs here but hasn't run since October and Shabra Emperor has a mountain to climb at these weights.
Akasaka (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Soon mid-division, closer in 5th before straight, challenged and on terms from under 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Equation Of Time (8-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol.
In Salutem 9-2 (9-11) Held up in touch, ridden entering straight, no impression from 2f out, never a factor, last of 7, 8l behind Zalty (9-10) at Dundalk 7f 3yo hcp 60-95 pol in Oct.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Mid-division and 7th approaching straight, ridden to go 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Captains Dilemma (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Maontri (IRE) 15-8 (9-7) Broke well and led early, tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead under 2f out, kept on well under pressure to draw clear inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f hcap pol in Jan beating Captain Cullen (9-6) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.