held up in touch in 4th, chased leading pair over 2f out, ridden to chase leader inside final furlong, kept on to lead post
steadied start, held up and keen in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression
towards rear, reminder over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd well over 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on towards finish
reared and dwelt start, soon led, took keen hold, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, caught post
led early, tracked leader, lost place over 2f out
Chipmunk was placed at Dundalk as a two-year-old but has been off the track since and makes his debut for new connections. Stand Beside Me should improve on his recent debut effort here, while Refusetosurrender is dropped in trip after a couple of modest efforts over further. Abacist has plenty of speed in his pedigree and is preferred to fellow newcomer Hoover, but the vote goes to MIDNIGHT RIDER. He showed plenty of early pace when runner-up over 7f on his last two starts and should prove better suited to today's distance.
Chimpunk (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Always prominent, challenged under pressure and on terms from 1f out, headed and kept on same pace close home, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Achak (9-0) at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol in Sep '08.
Stand Beside Me (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Chased leaders and off the pace, went well held 3rd 2f out, never any chance, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Primo De Vida (9-5) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Abacist (IRE) Desert Style gelding out of Trishay.
Hoover Sleeping Indian colt out of Spring Clean.
Midnight Rider (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Perignon (9-3) at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Refusetosurrender (IRE) 11-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 13l behind Libritish (8-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn fll stks (5) pol in Jan.