led, ridden and joined under 2f out, headed under 1f out, no extra
dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra
rear of mid-division, some progress 2f out, soon ridden, 7th 1f out, headway into 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on well close home
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong
pushed along in rear and trailing from early, always behind, never a factor
rear of mid-division, ridden 2f out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, 5th 2f out, ridden in 4th on inner 1f out, improved to dispute lead inside final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened
chased leaders disputed lead and pushed along under 2f out, ridden and led under 1f out, joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
TIDE OF TIME won this a year ago and has scored three times subsequently which is why he’s 17lb higher. However, he’s only 4lb higher than his latest success at Navan, form which has been boosted by the runner-up. Master Matt also arrives in top form having given Truth Prevails 13lb and a beating at Navan, with That’s Mad behind, while Earls has won twice in recent weeks and wasn’t beaten far in a tight finish at Dundalk on Wednesday. Mokhalad has won three times here though hasn’t been in the best of form. Big Gossey was engaged in the 7.45 at Dundalk last night.
Big Gossey (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Disputed lead, ridden and headed 2f out, dropped to 4th over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Arcanears (9-3) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Oct.
Master Matt 10-3 (10-2) Edged right from stalls, always prominent, led 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong and kept on well closing stages, won at Navan 5f hcp sft in Oct beating Truth Prevails (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Tide Of Time 5-2fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd travelling well under 2f out, pushed along and headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, won at Navan 6f hcp sft in Oct beating Arcanears (9-2) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Elzaamone (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Broke well to lead, raced far side group and at head of affairs there, prominent overall, 3rd approaching halfway, soon effort and challenged, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 3/4l behind A Step Too Far (9-3) at Curragh 5f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Mokhalad 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division and 7th from halfway, soon pushed along and lost place, no extra from over 1f out, 12th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Angel Palanas (9-13) at Leopardstown 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Limit Long 50-1 (8-6) Disputed lead, ridden and led 2f out, headed under 1f out, weakened, 7th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Arcanears (9-3) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Oct.
That's Mad 3-1fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Master Matt (10-2) at Navan 5f hcp sft in Oct.
Truth Prevails 22-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression, 9th of 18, 11 1/4l behind Galtee Mist (9-1) at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in Nov.
Earls (IRE) 7-2fav (9-12) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out, progress to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden and brushed rail under 1f out, soon joined, kept on same pace, headed close home, 4th of 12, nk behind Highly Approved (9-2) at Dundalk 6f pol in Nov.
Blue Umbrella (IRE) 40-1 (9-11) Chased leaders on far side, ridden 2f out, weakened, 11th of 17, 14 1/2l behind Pretty Boy Floyd (10-2) at Curragh 5f hcp hvy in Nov.
Mi Esperanza (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Prominent, raced near side group, soon disputed lead, still travelling smoothly over 2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, headed over 50yds out and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Seanjohnsilver (9-9) at Tipperary 5f hcp gd in Sep.