mid-division best, never a threat, kept on one pace in straight
always behind, driven along approaching straight, eased when beaten over 1f out, tailed off
prominent, disputed early, 2nd halfway, headway under pressure to lead briefly under 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, 6th entering straight, no extra from under 2f out
prominent, disputed early, 3rd on inner halfway, under pressure entering straight, no extra from over 1f out, weakened
always prominent, led after 2f, driven along entering straight, headed under 2f out, rallied under pressure on inner from 1f out to lead closing stages, headed on line
tracked leaders, 4th on outer halfway, 5th under pressure entering straight, soon no extra
always towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, 10th on outer entering straight, 7th over 1f out, stayed on well between horses inside final furlong, led on line
settled towards rear, some headway early straight, kept on well inside final furlong without troubling leaders
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden to go 6th over 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 7th halfway, went 4th entering straight, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, headed under pressure closing stages, no extra
never a factor
chased leaders, 6th on inner halfway, 8th and driven along entering straight, 5th 1f out, kept on well under pressure
Pires is a useful performer on the Flat and over hurdles but his strike-rate of 1-17 on the level is poor and he's on a high-enough mark. He was a long way behind Elusive Ridge at Dundalk in December and the latter should go well though he was put in his place by GIMLI'S ROCK at Naas in October and Jessica Harrington's tough gelding gets the nod. He followed that Naas success with a victory in a Grade 2 over timber and returned to the Flat last week with a very good run over a mile at the Curragh where he was staying on stoutly at the finish. Broad Meaning has run two very good races in England recently and will be fitter than most while Reiteration began the last campaign with a pair of victories and had excuses when well beaten on his final two starts. Leah Claire is better over further but will be fit enough after a good run over timber three weeks ago.
Enchanted Evening (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Led, joined halfway, headed under pressure over 1f out, soon no extra, weakened, 7th of 9, 9l behind Lolly For Dolly (9-13) at Curragh 1m flls Group 3 stks (1) sft.
Pires 9-10fav (9-2) Moderate 3rd, improved into close 2nd halfway, driven along 3f out, dropped to rear entering straight, one pace, last of 4, 7l behind Elusive Ridge (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Bravely Fought (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Settled rear, never able to challenge, 11th of 12, 11l behind Emirates Champion (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcp in Feb.
Reiteration (USA) 11-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra and weakened, 13th of 14, 17l behind Bob Le Beau (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Aug.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Made all, clear early, reduced advantage from halfway, ridden clear again from 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol in Dec beating Bravely Fought (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Prominent, disputed lead halfway, driven along and headed over 2f out, soon lost place and dropped to 9th 1f out, rallied well inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Drombeg Dawn (8-13) at Curragh 1m Extended Handicap (4yo+) sft.
Broad Meaning 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and edged left, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, shd behind Jawaab (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cul A Dun (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 10l behind Licence To Till (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Oct.
Celtic Dane (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, stayed on without threatening from over 2f out, 6th of 16, 6l behind Gimli's Rock (9-0) at Naas 1m 4f hcap gd in Oct.
Leah Claire (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway into 6th 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 6l behind Flowers Of Spring (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap sft in Oct.
Fammi Sognare (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, 22nd of 24, 29l behind Admiral Barry (11-0) at Curragh 1m 6f am hcp in Sep.
Park Ranger (IRE) 9-2 (7-12) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 2nd approaching straight, led briefly over 2f out, soon headed under pressure and no extra, 7th of 13, 6l behind Aladdins Cave (9-3) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcap sft in Sep.
Waterhouse (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, no extra from 2f out, 11th of 19, 19l behind Table Mountain (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo mdn in Oct.
Mctaggart (IRE) 18-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 18l behind Redera (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct.
Cilium (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and no impression straight, 8th of 11, 14l behind She's Our Mark (9-7) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
