led, joined and disputed after 4f, led 5f out, soon strongly pressed, disputed 3f out, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 2 1/2f out, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, asserted closing stages
held up early, closer in 3rd halfway, challenged over 4f out, ridden in 4th 2 1/2f out, no extra 2f out, weakened
held up in rear, progress into 3rd 5f out, challenged 4f out, disputed 3f out, led 2 1/2f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on, no extra in 2nd inside final furlong
chased leader, disputed after 4f, ridden and dropped towards rear 5f out, soon weakened and completely tailed off
Universal Focus has a penalty for a victory at Cork last month but didn't run badly in a better race at the Curragh next time. However, the race conditions greatly favour COQUIN MANS, a winner in France and unbeaten in three starts over timber for Willie Mullins, the last two over 3m. He'll be a vey short price here as the opposition looks moderate though winning bumper and hurdler Ask Susan should manage some place money.
Universal Focus (GER) 20-1 (9-5) Prominent and took keen hold early, led 2 1/2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, dropped to 5th 1f out, no impression, 5th of 23, 9l behind Lucca (10-0) at Navan 1m 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Coquin Mans (FR) 9-10fav (11-10) Took keen hold early, soon raced in 2nd, on terms approaching straight, led 2 out, asserted between last 2, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 3m Yielding in Aug beating Jaime Sommers (10-13) by 8l, 9 ran.
Loch Luatha (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along in 6th before 4 out and soon dropped to 8th, no extra from before next, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Arkwrisht (11-12) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f Good - Yielding in Aug.
Ask Susan (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Disputed 3rd, slight mistake at 4th, not fluent at 7th and dropped to 4th, progress to 2nd at 10th, no impression on leader and ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 8 1/2l behind Miss Eyecatcher (11-0) at Listowel 2m 4f hvy in Sep.
Mistress Marinrio (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Soon raced in 8th, pushed along approaching straight, weakened from over 1f out, last of 12, 12 3/4l behind Elusive Approach (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.