towards rear on outer, headway into 7th 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong
slowly into stride and in rear, m 15th 3f out, headway on outer and pushed along over 2f out, improved into 3rd and ridden 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden in 8th entering straight, no impression
disputed lead, headed before halfway, ridden in 2nd 3f out, weakened
dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened
rear of mid-division, no impression from 2f out, never a factor
rear of mid-division, 10th entering straight, soon ridden, 11th 1f out, kept on without threatening, 5th close home
dwelt, rear of mid-division on inner, hampered and checked 3f out, soon ridden, 9th 1f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor
slowly into stride and soon prominent, improved to dispute lead after 1f, led before halfway, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra
rear mid-division on outer, dropped to 15th entering straight, soon ridden, kept on without threatening final furlong
chased leaders on outer, ridden in 4th entering straight, 4th 1f out, no extra
mid-division on inner, headway into 3rd 3f out, soon ridden and no impression
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened
in rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
A very trappy opener with several of these having beaten each other in turn. Ger Lyons' puts Sam Ewing up with his 7lb claim on Shalaalaa, a debut winner over 6f at Fairyhouse though on fast going. Moonhall Girl beat much better fancied rivals when comfortably landing a 7f Fairyhouse claimer then ran well in a tough Curragh nursery and is probably still on the upgrade. Hector De Maris has shown enough in maidens to suggest she has a chance but BENAUD could be the one to beat if getting away on terms. Joseph O'Brien's colt keeps missing the break but was staying on strongly behind Alex D over 7f on heavy ground at Limerick and this could be his day. Halite wasn't suited by dropping back to 7f at Roscommon and is respected on his fourth behind Ontario at Galway.
Shalaalaa 7-2 (9-13) Mid-division, 5th and ridden early straight, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Dreams Delivered (8-6) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Hector De Maris (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden to narrow lead 2 1/2f out, headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 18, 10 1/4l behind Santa Barbara (9-3) at Curragh 1m mdn gd in Sep.
Benaud (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, some headway on outer entering straight, 7th over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Alex D (9-7) at Limerick 7f mdn hvy in Oct.
Avagardner 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Belle Image (9-2) at Curragh 6f gd in Sep.
Moonhall Girl (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, closed travelling smoothly under 3f out, pushed along from 2f out, soon challenged, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Dearg Jazz (9-5) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Dazzling Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching halfway where 6th, effort straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 5 3/4l behind Allagar (8-9) at Dundalk 7f mdn fll pol in Oct.
Halite (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, last of 4, 9 1/4l behind Vafortino (9-8) at Roscommon 7f Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Aleen Cust (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride and pushed along, soon raced in 10th, towards rear over 3f out, pushed along under 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on without threatening inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Khartoum (9-7) at Curragh 7f mdn sft in Oct.
Vocito (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Slightly impeded away from stalls, soon a little keen on outer in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, not match principals and slightly bumped over 1f out, one pace, 8th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Dearg Jazz (9-5) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Iron Sheriff (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd briefly 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 4 3/4l behind Rebel Step (9-3) at Thurles 1m hcp sft in Oct.
Britzka (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Soon towards rear, pushed along at stages, some headway over 1f out but no impression, kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 6 1/2l behind Dearg Jazz (9-5) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding in Sep.
In The Attic (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression and slightly hampered over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no danger, 9th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Fight Zone (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Bell Ex One (IRE) 80-1 (8-6) Soon tracked leader, challenged halfway, ridden under 2f out, soon lost place, kept on same pace in 5th under 1f out, 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Fight Zone (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Too Bright (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Mid-division early, soon chased leaders, pushed along approaching straight, soon effort, no extra and one pace from under 2f out, 12th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Inca Prince (9-3) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Sep.
Catherine Chroi (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, soon no extra, 12th of 14, 17 1/2l behind Belle Image (9-2) at Curragh 6f gd in Sep.
Cornish Rock (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) A little slow into stride, soon mid-division, pushed along halfway, slightly impeded over 1f out, soon one pace, 9th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Dearg Jazz (9-5) at Curragh 1m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Cala Lady (IRE) 80-1 (8-7) Slowly away, always towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, no extra, 14th of 15, 14 1/2l behind Verbal Fencing (9-11) at Naas 1m hcp gd in Sep.
