pushed along in last, off pace in last at halfway, no impression from 2f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd under 1f out, no extra
chased leaders in 5th, ridden entering straight, soon no impression
chased leader in 2nd, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd briefly under 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, ridden in moderate 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, good headway inside final furlong, stayed on strongly to lead close home
held up in 6th, pushed along in 4th when pulled up injured 2f out
Having won a Naas maiden, YEAR OF THE TIGER didn't score again but ended the campaign three-and-a-half-lengths third behind Kameko in the Group 1 Futurity at Newcastle. That form could hardly have been better boosted and he can double his winning tally. Another Naas winner, Real Force, also saved his best for last with a good run behind Siskin in the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh while Prince Of Naples was only beaten a length in a lucrative auction race on the latter track before scoring at Dundalk. Ten Year Ticket made a successful debut in a Curragh maiden in October and his trainer wouldn't have elevated him into Listed company without having some hopes.
Battle Of Liege (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden towards rear 3f out, no extra 2f out, 8th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Crossfirehurricane (9-3) at Dundalk 1m lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
Dark Vader (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Edged right and came close with rival away from stalls, prominent, pushed along and on terms 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, slightly impeded inside final furlong and one pace, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Fastar (9-1) at Naas 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Edward Hopper (IRE) 2-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out and challenged 150 yards out, no impression on winner closing stages, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Royal Dornoch (9-5) at Gowran Park 7f mdn Yielding in Sep.
King Of Athens (USA) 9-4fav (9-3) Dwelt slightly and towards rear, progress towards inner 2f out, ridden in 5th 1 1/2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Crossfirehurricane (9-3) at Dundalk 1m lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
Prince Of Naples (IRE) 2-1 (9-7) Soon raced in 2nd, challenged and on terms from 1 1/2f out, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec beating Balmari (9-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ten Year Ticket (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Raced in 4th early, pushed along 2 1/2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon on terms, led over 50yds out, stayed on well, won at Curragh 7f mdn sft in Oct beating Lough Cutra (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Year Of The Tiger (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Kameko (9-1) at Newcastle 1m Grp 1 stks (1) pol in Nov.
Real Force 66-1 (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along under 2f out, soon no impression and kept on without matching principals, 4th 1f out, just failed for 3rd, 4th of 5, 4 3/4l behind Siskin (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jun.
