tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 7th over 1f out, no extra
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, pushed along to challenge under 2f out, headed by winner 1f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
towards rear, 8th halfway, never a factor, no impression over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, progress under 2f out and led 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
led, ridden under 2f out and headed 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
in rear, 9th halfway, progress on outer under 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along under 2f out and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, 5th halfway, switched right 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong to go 4th close home
Excelli has been in such good form and won so comfortably last time that she will be fancied again though an 8lb rise makes this more difficult. The Butche's Filly has never won in 20 starts and is 4lb out of the handicap but MANOROV (NAP) looks to have a fine chance and gets the nod. A winner over track and trip last month, he went up a massive 10lb and failed to sparkle behind Hat Alnasar a fortnight ago. That was a better race than this and the assessor has relented with a 4lb drop so he can get back on track. Piccadilly Jim won a seller and a claimer at Redcar in the autumn and looks to have a stiff task on his debut for new connections and the former David O'Meara-trained Salma Gondis looks to have more of a chance.
Piccadilly Jim (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Chased clear leader, closed over 2f out, soon every chance, edged left and ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Field Of Dream (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (6) pol in Nov.
Beat The Ballot (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no extra under 2f out, 12th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Northern Surprise (9-7) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Spirit Of The Law (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, some progress in 7th 2f out, ridden and no impression in 9th 1f out, weakened, 9th of 13, 13l behind Political Policy (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Excelli (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, went clear 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan beating In The Dark (9-0) by 2l, 13 ran.
Ned's Indian (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Soon chased leader in 2nd, close 4th when short of room from 2f out, pushed along briefly 1f out, soon eased, 10th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Poitin (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Manorov 8-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hat Alnasar (8-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Salma Gondis (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 23 1/2l behind Royal Holiday (9-3) at Carlisle 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Starlostinacloud (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, 12th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 9th 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 17, 8 1/2l behind Red Napoleon (9-5) at Navan 1m mdn gf in Sep.
The Butche's Filly (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, progress into 5th entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Skerray Rules (9-10) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Hilary (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Always behind, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 10, 17l behind Strait Of Zanzibar (12-8) at Laytown 7f hcp pol in Sep.
