chased leader in 2nd, ridden along 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression
disputed 3rd, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression from 2f out
disputed 3rd, ridden to challenge under 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong
held up in touch, ridden in 5th entering straight, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in touch, ridden in last entering straight, no impression
Gleadhradh showed the benefit of his introduction last August with a likeable display at Dundalk last month but this looks slightly tougher and a penalty won't help. Maundays Bay made all to see off that good yardstick Adiynara at Dundalk in December and is clearly improving though she's no certainty to finish in front of stablemate Shelley Beach, who wasn't far behind subsequent Listed runner-up Defining Year at the Curragh. FLIC FLAC did everything right but win a race in her first season and Dermot Weld should have her ready to make a winning start to the new campaign. Obligada's career began with a success over this C&D in June and she was by no means disgraced in better company later.
Gleadhradh (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden inside final furlong and joined briefly, prevailed last strides, won at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn auc stks pol in Mar beating Balmont Mast (9-5) by hd, 13 ran.
Maundays Bay (IRE) 11-8fav (8-12) Broke well and made all, pressed and ridden over 1f out, kept on best under pressure inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol in Dec beating Adiynara (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Obligada (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Lost ground start, held up in rear, kept on same pace straight, 6th of 8, 12l behind Dubai Prince (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct.
Flic Flac (IRE) 5-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, headway on outer entering straight, 2nd and challenged over 1f out, led narrowly under 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, hd behind Future Generation (8-12) at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
Shelley Beach (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, 10th 3f out, pushed along in 9th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without reaching principals, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Defining Year (9-7) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp sft in Mar.
Storminateacup (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 6th under pressure early straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 16, 6l behind Juliet Capulet (8-9) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo fll mdn gf in Sep.
