soon led, joined straight, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
waited with, 10th approaching halfway, pushed along under 2f out, soon one pace
soon chased leaders, 6th approaching halfway, closed travelling smoothly straight, pushed along under 2f out, on terms and edged right inside final furlong, headed and one pace close home
a little slow into stride, mid-division early, 8th approaching halfway, pushed along straight, tight for room on inner over 2f out, soon one pace
close up and disputed lead early, prominent, 2nd approaching halfway, on terms straight travelling smoothly, led over 2f out, soon pushed along, joined inside final furlong, headed and one pace in 3rd closing stages
a little slow into stride, waited with, 12th approaching halfway, raced on outer into straight, pushed along under 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong
waited with, 9th approaching halfway, travelling smoothly straight, pushed along under 2f out, soon one pace
soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, pushed along under 2f out, still chasing leaders 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon tracked leaders, 5th approaching halfway, soon slightly impeded, pushed along under 2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
a little slow into stride, towards rear and pushed along at stages, 13th approaching halfway, headway on outer and challenged and carried right inside final furlong, led and stayed on best close home
soon in rear and pushed along at stages, wide into straight, kept on without threatening inside final furlong on outer
close up and disputed lead early, soon chased leaders, 7th approaching halfway, pushed along under 2f out, no impression and switched right from 1f out, kept on same pace without threatening
waited with, 11th approaching halfway, pushed along straight, not much room and switched right over 2f out, soon one pace
soon tracked leaders, 3rd approaching halfway, pushed along under 2f out, one pace 1f out
A nice prize has produced a competitive field. In From The Cold had a busy and successful first campaign culminating in a victory over the course and distance on heavy going in November so has to be on the shortlist. Real Appeal opened with two victories in France in the spring and was campaigning at a higher level when transferred to Jim Bolger. Camachita's only victory came at Dundalk though she was narrowly beaten on ground with some give in a Fairyhouse nursery. HONG KONG landed a 6f maiden here on testing ground and led for a long way in the Group 3 Horris Hill at Newmarket. He'll be ready for this and just gets the nod over Justina, a debut winner at Roscommon in July but yet to face these conditions.
Fan Club Rules (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Stumbled start, mid-division, headway far side of group chasing leaders halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd final 75 yards, lost 3rd post, 4th of 13, 2l behind Liberty Beach (8-12) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Real Appeal (GER) 16-1 (9-6) Ran 4th, ridden 2f out, under pressure and no impression 1f out, no extra, last of 5, 9 1/2l behind Sir Boris (9-3) at Fairyhouse 6f lst stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Camachita (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Broke well to lead, soon headed and settled in mid-division, improved to 2nd halfway, ridden and strongly challenged leader over 1f out, dropped to 4th and no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 5, 3 1/4l behind Stela Star (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Hong Kong (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Led main group and 2nd overall, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened just inside final furlong, eased, 7th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Kenzai Warrior (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Nov.
The King Of Kells (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Led and disputed, led after 1 1/2f, ridden and pressed 2f out, narrowly headed 1 1/2f out, kept on, no extra in 3rd closing stages of final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Dark Vader (9-6) at Dundalk 6f pol in Mar.
Elusive King (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Bumped early, soon mid-division, 12th approaching halfway, soon headway and effort, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead on line, won at Naas 6f mdn hvy in Nov beating Soul Seeker (9-5) by ns, 22 ran.
The Peckhampouncer (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Raced far side group, 6th halfway, under pressure over 2f out, no extra and one pace over 1f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Chrysalism (8-4) at Curragh 6f hcp sft in Aug.
Lustown Baba (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Half Nutz (8-7) at Navan 6f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Justina (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Took keen hold, prominent, led after 2f, pressed 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, no extra and one pace near finish, 4th of 9, 1l behind Royal County Down (9-7) at Galway 7f hcp gd in Aug.
In From The Cold (IRE) 3-1 (8-8) Soon raced in 3rd, effort over 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, pressed from over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Naas 7f hvy in Nov beating Love Locket (9-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cardinal Rule (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Disputed lead briefly early, close up, effort straight, one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 3 1/4l behind So Suave (9-1) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Wild Cherry (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 19, 2l behind Love Locket (9-0) at Naas 6f mdn fll Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Bella Brazil (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along on inner early straight, ridden under 2f out and no extra final furlong, weakened, 11th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Calidus Mirabilis (8-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Varna Gold (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, mid-division halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 9th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Calidus Mirabilis (8-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
