made all, clear over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, eased near finish
tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch in final pair, headway to chase clear winner entering final furlong, not trouble winner
held up in touch in final pair, ridden over 1f out, kept on to go a never nearer 3rd inside final furlong
Athwaab looks up against it on today's terms but the remainder appear closely matched. Richard Hughes steered Dark Lane to victory over 5f here last week and keeps the partnership intact while Commanche faced higher-rated rivals when a well-beaten third last time. Fairy Wing recorded last month's double on the Fibresand, but is a winner on this surface at Dundalk and an apprentice takes 5lb off his back. DESERT STRIKE looks high enough in the weights in handicaps but is dropped in class for this and it could be the turn of Conor Dore's charge today.
Desert Strike 20-1 (9-7) Led to 3f out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Elusive Hawk (9-2) at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar.
Fairy Wing (IRE) 9-4fav (9-13) Raced wide held up, headway to go 3rd halfway, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Ace Of Spies (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Athwaab 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Homeboy (10-0) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Commanche 8-1 (8-11) Held up, pushed along and closed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Mr Knightley (8-13) at Kempton 7f clm stks 0-75 (6) pol.
Dark Lane 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders going well, ridden inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Beauty Pageant (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.