tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent 4th and next, slight mistake 4 out, 2nd entering straight, ridden in 3rd when mistake 2 out, no impression before last, kept on one pace
led, pressed from 7th, pushed along and headed approaching straight, no impression in 4th before 2 out, bad mistake 2 out, no extra
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, 5th halfway, mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, 4th after 2 out, kept on one pace
raced in 2nd, pressed leader from 7th, led approaching straight, pushed along before 2 out, joined 2 out, ridden and led narrowly last, stayed on well to assert final 100 yards
always behind, in touch halfway, not fluent 6th, pushed along before 3 out, soon detached and no extra, never a factor
raced in 4th, slight mistake 1st, reached for 4th, 3rd entering straight, soon pushed along in 2nd, disputed 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly last, no impression final 100 yards, kept on one pace
Desert Friend, a dual winner on the Flat, won a Listowel maiden over timber in June and has raced out of his class at Cheltenham the last twice. The four-year-old Benz benefited from stepping up to 2m4f at Cork where he just failed to get up so dropping in trip doesn't look ideal. MARELLY is definitely on the upgrade and took advantage of testing conditions to land a Gowran Handicap. He's 5lb higher here but has the edge in experience over Splashing Out, an excellent second in a huge field of maidens at Cork and certain to improve. The remaining pair have it all to do.
Desert Friend (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Always in rear, untidy 2nd, soon struggling, moderate late headway, 5th of 8, 29l behind Fennor Cross (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Benz (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) In touch, 5th after 6th, headway to close 3 out, ridden and kept on well in 2nd run-in to lead final strides, headed on line, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind Meetingofthewaters (11-6) at Cork 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Call Me Rocky (IRE) 80-1 (10-2) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, dropped to rear and under pressure 2 1/2f out, weakened under 2f out, 13th of 14, 29 1/4l behind Sand Castle (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Marelly (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Waited with in mid-division, progress on outer 3 out, pushed along in close 3rd entering straight, disputed 2 out, led before last where 3 lengths lead, ridden and stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m hcp hvy in Nov beating A Mere Bagatelle (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Portland Row (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden before straight, no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 16, 25 1/4l behind Prairie Dancer (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn hvy in Apr.
Splashing Out (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, 3rd before 4th, not fluent in 4th 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, kept on, 2nd of 23, 5l behind Irish Point (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn sft in Nov.
