chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on strongly final furlong
led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, kept on same pace
held up early, 4th halfway, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out
settled behind leaders in 4th, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out
held up in rear, 5th 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders early, dropped towards rear halfway, ridden and trailing 3f out, no extra
Akasaka won a handicap over the C&D in January and has had to race from a much higher mark subsequently. He's been going well enough and should have too much pace for Baitsileir, who has been running exclusively over 1m3f this winter. Bold Thady Quill was going well on Turf last summer but he didn't show much in two starts on this track though they were a long time ago. HE'S GOT RHYTHM is better known as a sprinter but has run well over the C&D in the past and can outpace these rivals in such a small field.
Akasaka (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong, 9th of 10, 4l behind Billyford (9-9) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol.
Baitsileir (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Held up early, swift headway into 2nd 6f out, weakened entering straight, last of 8, 26l behind Prince Of Fashion (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Pivotal Rock (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Led, headed after 3f, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, soon hampered, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Cool Athlete (9-5) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (60-75) (4yo+) pol in Feb.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from under 2f out, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Solent Ridge (8-9) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 60-90 gd in Sep.
He's Got Rhythm (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, pulled way into 2nd before halfway, ridden early straight and dropped to 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Joe Eile (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcap pol.
Nomadic Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 15l behind Captain Henry (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.