tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent at 5th, progress into 2nd 3 out, ridden in close 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner at last, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, slight mistake 5th, moderate 6th entering straight, reminder after 2 out, kept on one pace under hands and heels run-in
made all, strongly pressed 2 out, soon pushed along, ridden at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, slight mistake 3rd and briefly pushed along, ridden in 6th 3 out, weakened
always towards rear, slight mistake 1st, never a factor
tracked leaders in 5th, headway into 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, soon no impression on leaders
tracked leader in 2nd, took keen hold, 3rd 3 out, pushed along in 4th entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no impression in 3rd when bad mistake at last, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th entering straight, soon no impression
held up in last, moderate 7th entering straight, soon pushed along, slight mistake 2 out, kept on one pace under hands and heels run-in
Joseph O'Brien should hold the key to this with CERBERUS and A Wave Of The Sea. The pair fought out the finish at Punchestown in October when the former came out on top by a neck. He's since gone on to score by 20 lengths at Down Royal, when short-priced favourite Saint D'oroux disappointed, while the runner-up, who will be 4lb better off, has been beaten narrowly on the Flat before an equally facile victory at Fairyhouse. Dinard Rose had no problems with heavy going at Gowran so the more rain the better for Noel Meade's filly.
A Wave Of The Sea (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leader in 2nd, led before 3 out, not fluent 3 out, soon clear travelling well, slight mistake 2 out, well clear at last, stayed on strongly run-in, very easily, won at Down Royal 2m sft in Nov beating Khanmurjan (10-12) by 20l, 10 ran.
Cafe Con Leche (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Broke well, soon mid-division, 5th halfway, 7th under 4f out, ridden and closed under 2f out, no impression in 2nd on clear leader over 1f out, kept on same pace, dropped to moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 20, 15 1/4l behind Lady Stormborn (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Cerberus 15-8fav (10-12) Prominent on outer and took keen hold early, led from 2nd and made rest, jumped well, went clear travelling well 2 out, pushed out after last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Red Gerry (10-12) by 19l, 14 ran.
Hammersmith (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division early, towards rear halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, under pressure in 6th 1f out, kept on final furlong, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Njord (9-5) at Curragh 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Royal Aide (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division best, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra over 2f out, 14th of 18, dist behind Royal Illusion (8-12) at Curragh 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Saint D'Oroux (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to moderate 4th 2 out, soon no impression, 4th of 10, 23 1/2l behind A Wave Of The Sea (11-4) at Down Royal 2m sft in Nov.
Tremwedge 40-1 (11-0) Rear of mid-division, headway to track leader after 2nd, led narrowly 2 out, headed before last where dropped to 4th, no impression on leaders, ridden and kept on to 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 5 1/4l behind Sacchoandvanzetti (11-7) at Punchestown 2m sft in Nov.
Dinard Rose (IRE) 8-13fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, 2nd entering straight, ridden in 2nd 2 out, closer 2nd at last, headway to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hvy in Nov beating Very Excellent (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Guinevere (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division on inner, bumped on inner before 4 out, headway into moderate 5th travelling well enough entering straight, ridden in moderate 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 20 3/4l behind Cerberus (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hvy in Nov.
