held up in rear, ridden approaching straight, soon no extra
led early, headed after 4f, tracked leader in 2nd until led again entering straight, driven clear over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
tracked leaders, 5th 6f out, headway into 3rd early straight, soon no extra and dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
prominent, led after 4f, pushed along approaching straight, soon headed, weakened from under 2f out
mid-division, 7th 6f out, no impression under pressure early straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division on inner, 6th halfway, switched left under 2f out, went 4th 1f out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd well inside final furlong
held up, 8th 6f out, headway into 5th early straight, 3rd and no impression on winner 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders on inner in 4th, ridden to go 2nd early straight, no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace
Not surprisingly most of this field are better known as jumpers and had their most recent starts over obstacles. They include THE FONZE, whose last run on the flat was over 1m1f two years ago but who has since proved himself very useful over hurdles and fences and scored over timber at Kilbeggan last month. He can take this though useful jumper Green Mile could be a threat from his lowly perch and Oodachee's last run on the flat produced a victory from a similar mark. Spinning Ways showed his liking for fast ground with an easy victory at Listowel last week and winning bumper Oneeightofamile followed a flat debut success at Clonmel with a fair effort at Tipperary where he found 1m6f just too short. Admiral Barry could hardly have been more impressive over 1m4f at Tramore and is another to consider an an intriguing contest.
Clopf (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no extra and kept on one pace, 10th of 21, 27l behind Rite Of Passage (9-5) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Spinning Wings (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased leader, led after 2f, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Listowel 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf beating Easy Mate (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Oneeightofamile (IRE) 4-5fav (9-6) Close upin 3rd, improved to lead and ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, kept on same pace in 2nd, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Keep It Cool (9-2) at Tipperary 1m 6f stks gf in May.
My Valley (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden over 3f out, drifted left and headed inside final furlong, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Almolahek (9-3) at Galway 2m hcp 55-80 sft in Jul.
Le Leopard (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Held up, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Spinning Wings (8-10) at Listowel 1m 6f hcp 60-90 gf.
Callow Lake (IRE) 25-1 (7-13) Never better than mid-division, 18th of 29, 30l behind Dani California (8-0) at Curragh 2m hcp gd in Sep.
Oodachee 5-1 (9-2) Led and disputed on wide outside, headed from halfway, close 2nd 4f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Cybersnow (8-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp 50-80 gd in Jul.
Admiral Barry (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Soon rear of mid-division, improved into 5th and ridden from under 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to soon draw clear, comfortably, won at Tramore 1m 4f ladies mdn stks gf beating Snow Feather (10-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
The Fonze (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 5th over 3f out, no impression under pressure in moderate 3rd and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Windhover (9-2) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f hcp gd in Jul '08.
Green Mile 9-2fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden in 14th 2f out, 9th over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Soprano (9-1) at Listowel 2m hcp 50-80 in Sep.
