reluctant to enter stalls, always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, 8th halfway, driven along from early straight, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong without reaching winner
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden early straight, 5th and no extra 1f out
rear of mid-division, good headway on inner approaching straight, ridden to go 2nd and challenged from 2f out, no impression under pressure well inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, ridden early straight and no extra from well over 1f out
rear of mid-division, never dangerous but kept on well from over 1f out
chased leaders on outer, 6th halfway, no extra from under 2f out
broke well and settled in 5th, pushed along entering straight, moderate 4th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without reaching winner
chased leaders, 7th halfway, driven along in 6th 2f out, soon no extra
towards rear, kept on one pace in straight
made virtually all, strongly pressed from 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
always behind
in rear, some headway early straight, switched right and stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders
Three Way Stretch made a tremendous comeback at the Curragh last week behind Blue Dahlia and should be better suited by the extra furlong. Enigma Code is better on Polytrack and has never won on turf but the lightly-raced Salgrev finished a close third in this a year ago from the same mark and must be given a chance. It was by no means a great race that SLADE won at Bellewstown in August but he improved throughout the campaign and begins his handicap career on what looks a very fair mark. Bashir Biyoum Zain was in cracking form at this time a year ago and though that was on Polytrack there's no reason why he shouldn't be as effective on turf and he looks a threat. The veteran Parc Aux Boules doesn't have the greatest strike-rate but Solent Ridge is very consistent and the presence of Johnny Murtagh in the saddle suggests connections mean business.
Three Way Stretch (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Towards rear, switched right 2f out, ridden to go 6th on outer over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Blue Dahlia (7-8) at Curragh 6f ext hcp sft.
Mountain Coral (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 10th 2f out, stayed on into 7th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Dash Back (8-9) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Bashir Biyoum Zain (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 12l behind Bajan Tryst (9-1) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Aug.
Daring Man (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders in 6th, weakened early straight, 11th of 14, 6l behind Arcadian Dream (10-0) at Dundalk 7f app hcp 60-85 pol in Dec.
Slade (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd over 1f out, kept on to challenge inside final furlong, led close home, won at Bellewstown 1m 3yo mdn gd in Aug beating Mutamaleq (9-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Solent Ridge (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, 8th approaching halfway, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 3l behind Arcadian Dream (10-0) at Dundalk 7f app hcp 60-85 pol in Dec.
Cosmic Breeze (IRE) 11-1 (8-1) Soon prominent, close 3rd approaching straight, weakened 2f out, 13th of 14, 12l behind Banna Boirche (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Northern Rocked (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Never a factor, 16th of 21, 15l behind Waydownsouth (9-1) at Curragh 1m app hcp 50-85 in Oct.
Like Magic (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon tracked leaders, 4th straight, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 4th of 15, 7l behind Headford Lady (8-8) at Roscommon 7f hcp 50-85 in Sep.
Parc Aux Boules 22-1 (9-4) Mid-division, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, nearest at finish, 4th of 30, 1 1/2l behind Boynagh Joy (9-6) at Curragh 7f hcp 50-75 in Oct.
West Coast Dream 9-4fav (9-10) Led, ridden and strongly pressed early straight, headed over 1f out, soon no extra, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Boynagh Joy (9-12) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 60-76 pol in Nov.
Headache 16-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced and behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 14l behind Dubai Hills (9-5) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan.
Salgrev (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Little Arrows (9-11) at Leopardstown 7f hcp 50-75 in Mar '10.
Cave Artist (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 21l behind Ghetto Gospel (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo hcp 47-70 gf in May.
Enigma Code (UAE) 8-1 (9-6) Dwelt, soon chased winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Dvinsky (9-2) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
