mid-division, pushed along approaching straight, ridden on outer under 2f out and no impression in 5th over 1f out, no extra, kept on one pace
prominent and disputed lead, pushed along early straight, ridden under 2f out and dropped to 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
mid-division, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and headway between horses under 2f out, ridden to lead and edged right over 1f out, asserted and drifted left inside final furlong, kept on well
rear of mid-division, pushed along on inner approaching straight and no extra in rear under 2f out, weakened
towards rear, pushed along entering straight, 8th and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, never a factor
led or disputed lead, pushed along early straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on outer, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out and ridden in 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra and drifted right inside final furlong, eased
rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along and no impression in rear under 2f out, weakened
towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
Michael Halford has his horses in fine form and the Godolphin-owned BALEFIRE had a very encouraging introduction when staying on over 7f at Leopardstown in October and can take this. National Guard and Fairy Fort represent Aidan O'Brien. The former makes a quick reappearance after a reasonable run over 7f at Naas on Sunday while the latter, a son of War Front out of a Listed winner, will know more today after just one run in his first campaign. These Days showed the benefit of his opening run at the Curragh with a much improved effort at Naas and has the potential for better while Closer Now was well supported here last month but could just have needed the run. Tallien improved with each run last season and was only just touched off here in November so is an obvious contender.
Balefire (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Prominent early before dropping to mid-division, 9th from halfway and soon pushed along, ridden on outer from 1f out and kept on well into 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 4l behind Manjeer (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f mdn gd in Oct.
Eyeoweyou (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and lost place 2f out, ridden in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Jupiter Road (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Feb.
Fairy Fort (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, soon slightly detached, 11th halfway, under pressure entering straight, ridden over 1f out, no headway, never a factor, last of 11, 16 1/2l behind Inverleigh (9-5) at Leopardstown 6f mdn gf in Aug.
Malbas Mukhadram gelding out of Violet.
National Guard (USA) 12-1 (9-5) Prominent, soon 2nd, effort straight, no impression and one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 15, 5 1/2l behind Wargrave (9-5) at Naas 7f mdn Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Nobel Joshua (AUT) Joshua Tree gelding out of Namat.
Sir Lolypop (IRE) Sir Prancealot colt out of Hilarys First.
Tallien (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Prominent and led after 2f, ridden 2f out and joined over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, not quite match winner, 2nd of 14, hd behind Karasi (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov.
These Days (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort straight, kept on without matching front pair final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Old Glory (9-5) at Naas 7f mdn gd in Sep.
Closer Now (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon headway to tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Fresnel (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn fll pol in Feb.
Finsceal Rose (IRE) Finsceal Fior filly out of North Light Rose.
Sheamer Princess (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) In rear, pushed along entering straight and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong to go 5th close home, never a factor, 5th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Mouriyani (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Mar.
Dawry (IRE) Showcasing gelding out of May Day Queen.
Memsie (IRE) Exceed And Excel colt out of Gift Of Spring.
Wicklow Gale (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression under 2f out, no extra, 12th of 13, 16 1/2l behind Thrifty One (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar.
Severus Alexander (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, never a factor, no impression under 2f out, no extra, kept on one pace final furlong, 10th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Thrifty One (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar.
Phoenix Open (USA) 25-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, pushed along approaching straight, no impression under 2f out and moderate 9th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Jasikan (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Nov.
