disputed lead early, tracked leaders, on terms again 4f out, pushed along approaching straight and headed, dropped towards rear from 2f out, no extra
chased leaders, closer order from under 4f out, pushed along into straight, 5th from 2f out, soon no impression, no extra from over 1f out
towards rear, still travelling smoothly into straight, pushed along from 2f out, soon no extra
towards rear, closed towards outer approaching straight, soon pushed along, on terms 2f out, dropped to 3rd under 1f out, one pace in 4th near finish
disputed lead early, prominent, on terms again from 4f out, led approaching straight, soon pushed along, pressed from over 2f out and soon headed and no impression, no extra from over 1f out
towards rear, closed towards outer approaching straight, soon pushed along, challenged 2f out, dropped to 4th from under 1f out, kept on into 3rd near finish
pushed along to soon lead, under pressure and joined 4f out, soon headed, dropped to rear from before straight, kept on again, one paced, final 2f
chased leaders, closed up from under 4f out, pushed along into straight, soon challenged, on terms 2f out, narrowly headed and kept on without matching winner closing stages
chased leaders, closer order from under 4f out, pushed along into straight, 6th from 2f out, switched left 1 1/2f out, improved to challenge from over 1f out, soon on terms, gained narrow lead closing stages, stayed on well
Dermot Weld has won this five times in recent years and ZANNDA looks his main hope here as Ashraf hasn't won since landing a heavy ground maiden at the Curragh in March. The former, runner-up to two very useful fillies at Listed and Group level in May, reappeared to land the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes at Cork in August and with further progress likely from the lightly-raced filly she looks the one to be on. The only downside of that victory is that it was over 1m4f and she's up against some speedy rivals here though Group 3 winning miler Sruthan was beaten a long way on his only start over this trip. Alive Alive Oh has shown herself very useful in this company and has finished runner-up the last three times she's race at this level. Torcedor is progressing nicely and deserves his chance at this level after landing a very competitive premier handicap at the Curragh but the remainder will need to step up a gear.
Johann Bach (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Fire Fighting (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Sruthan (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, kept wide in back straight, 3rd halfway, pushed along and no extra 2f out, weakened, last of 5, 9 1/2l behind Brendan Brackan (9-7) at Cork 1m lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Alive Alive Oh 13-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2 1/2f out, ridden 2f out, no impression on leader 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, just held 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Devonshire (8-13) at Listowel 1m 1f lst stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Ashraf (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3f out, challenged 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m mdn hvy in Mar beating Boherbuoy (9-5) by 4 3/4l, 16 ran.
Intisari (IRE) 8-15fav (9-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, soon strongly pressed and headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Tandem (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Sep.
Princess Aloof (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Settled in rear, raced wide into straight, ridden over 2f out and some progress into 5th, no impression from 1f out and kept on same pace into 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Endless Time (9-0) at Naas 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) gf in Oct.
Queen Of Alba (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Pullman Brown (9-3) at Gowran Park 1m 1f Yielding in Sep.
Torcedor (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Soon chased leaders in 7th, pushed along under 4f out, 4th 3f out, challenged 1f out, on terms inside final furlong, soon led, stayed on well, all out, won at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gd in Sep beating Fog of War (9-4) by shd, 21 ran.
Zannda (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, raced in share of 3rd 4f out, improved to challenge over 1f out and soon disputed, kept on well inside final furlong to just prevail, won at Cork 1m 4f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug beating Altesse (9-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Mandatario 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along entering straight, 7th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Fire Fighting (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
