tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, soon pushed along, challenged under 2f out, no extra and one pace from 1f out
took keen hold, prominent and soon disputed lead, pushed along from early straight, soon headed, no extra and one pace from 1f out
towards rear, 7th approaching straight, closed behind horses travelling smoothly from over 2f out, squeezed for room over 1f out, soon switched right and kept on same pace inside final furlong
led early, soon joined, pressed straight, kept on well final furlong, headed close home
towards rear, 6th approaching straight, pushed along to close 2f out, soon challenged and on terms, headed inside final furlong and one pace
tracked leaders, 5th approaching straight, soon pushed along, kept on same pace from 1f out
towards rear, last and pushed along approaching straight, headway on outer 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home
soon prominent, 4th approaching straight and pushed along, dropped to last from 1f out and no extra
A winner over 6f here early last month, SPLIT THE ATOM just missed out when caught close home over track and trip on his latest start. David Marnane’s charge gets another chance in this similar contest given he beat the consistent Ishebayorgrey and fourth-placed Pearl Spectre last time. The latter has been subsequently placed over 6f here when ahead of Patrick while Strait Of Zanzibar won this way back in 2013 but was well beaten in last year’s renewal along with Northern Surprise.
Pearl Spectre (USA) 11-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and not clear run over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Sign of The Kodiac (9-10) at Dundalk 6f pol in Mar.
Patrick (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and some progress in 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 2l behind Sign of The Kodiac (9-10) at Dundalk 6f pol in Mar.
Ishebayorgrey (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd 2f out, ridden and progress on inner to challenge 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression close home, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Shannon Soul (9-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
Tribal Path (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Chased leader, led after 1f, stayed on rail entering straight, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Brendan Brackan (9-12) at Naas 1m Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Northern Surprise (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden under 2f out and 6th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Togoville (9-8) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Feb.
Peticoatgovernment (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Held up, last before halfway, some headway and one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Shanghai Glory (9-5) at Curragh 6f lst stks (1) Good - Yielding in Oct.
Split The Atom (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, under pressure and progress to lead 150 yards out, kept on, headed on line, 2nd of 7, hd behind Shannon Soul (9-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 20-1 (8-5) Led briefly early, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden 3f out, no extra 2f out, 6th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Chestnut Fire (8-12) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Red Avenger (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Reared as stalls opened and slowly into stride, always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 17, dist behind Brendan Brackan (9-12) at Naas 1m Soft - Heavy in Mar.
