chased leaders, effort when carried slightly right right over 1f out, soon hard ridden to challenge, saddle slipped inside final furlong, ran on
held up, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
made all, hard driven over 1f out, ran on well
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, beaten over 2f out
DARK VADER journeys over from Ireland having landed the odds at Dundalk with the minimum of fuss. He looks the one to beat handicapping for the first time with Oisin Murphy picking up the ride. Auchterarder has won twice over the minimum trip and was placed behind Maystar in a conditions race last time when ahead of Lexington Rebel. That form also gives her the beating of Hamish Macbeth and she looks the main danger to the selection. Dazzling Des won in this grade over track and trip last month and may prove best of the rest.
Dark Vader (IRE) 2-5fav (9-2) Soon led, travelling smoothly straight, pushed along 1 1/2f out, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f pol in Jan beating Power Ahead (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Hamish Macbeth 7-4 (9-9) Tracked leader, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 7 3/4l behind Temple Of Heaven (9-9) at Newcastle 6f stks (2) pol in Oct.
Auchterarder (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Raced wide close up, clipped heels and stumbled 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Maystar (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec.
Dazzling Des (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Bumped start, pulled hard in rear, no impression, last of 5, 5 1/2l behind Will To Win (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Lexington Rebel (FR) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 8, 10 1/2l behind Locked N' Loaded (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (4) pol in Dec.
Heer We Go Again 9-1 (9-5) Pulled hard, led, headed 2f out, weakened towards finish, 4th of 5, 2 1/4l behind Gold Brocade (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
I'm Digby (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, 6th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Badri (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Feb.