mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden towards rear 3f out, no extra 2f out
disputed, led after 1f, ridden and pressed 2f out, joined under 1f out, narrowly headed under 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, 2nd after 3f, challenged 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, disputed under 1f out, edged ahead last 150 yards, kept on well under pressure
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression in 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace
disputed briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
dwelt slightly and towards rear, progress towards inner 2f out, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division early, chased leaders after 3f, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
chased leaders early, mid-division after 3f, progress into 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
This has been run twice and Aidan O'Brien has won both. The stable has three entries here and, with Seamie Heffernan on board, King Of Athens, an easy winner on the surface at Lingfield in October, could prove the pick. Joseph O'Brien has two runners and CROSSFIREHURRICANE is unbeaten after making a winning debut at Limerick in June and reappearing here three weeks ago with an impressive victory. There's more to come and he looks better at this stage than stable companion Choice Of Mine, who scored over the track and trip in December. The filly In The Present had some smart form on Turf before a comfortable success here in December while Howling Wolf found Group 2 company at Leopardstown too tough after landing a maiden there.
Battle Of Liege (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Emirates Currency (9-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Choice Of Mine (AUS) 7-1 (9-2) Pushed along briefly early, soon chased leaders, pushed along again approaching straight, progress and on terms over 1f out, led inside final furlong and edged right, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec beating Karbasann (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Crossfirehurricane (USA) 11-8fav (9-7) Pushed along early, rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, headway on inner early straight and pushed along in 4th over 1f out, led 150 yards, ridden and stretched clear closing stages, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb beating Orchid Gardens (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dutch Admiral (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, closer in 5th and switched right early final furlong, kept on one pace to go 4th close home, 4th of 12, 5l behind Crossfirehurricane (9-7) at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb.
Howling Wolf (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Prominent, a little keen, pushed along before straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out and no extra inside final furlong, last of 7, 8l behind Mogul (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
King Of Athens (USA) 15-8 (9-2) Made all, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f stks (5) pol in Oct beating Lexington Rebel (9-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Wonder Elzaam (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, headway on outer into 3rd entering straight, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out, under pressure and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Mr Mooj (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Jan.
In The Present (USA) 9-4jfav (9-0) Chased leader, led after 1f, ridden 1 1/2f out, drifted left under pressure under 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages to assert, won at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Dec beating Sister Lola (9-0) by 4 1/4l, 14 ran.
Orchid Gardens (IRE) 13-8 (8-10) Led or disputed lead, headed after 2f and 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out and under pressure 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Crossfirehurricane (9-7) at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb.
New World Tapestry (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Kameko (9-1) at Newcastle 1m Grp 1 stks (1) pol in Nov.
