soon led and disputed, headed 2 1/2f out, soon ridden and edged right, kept on to dispute again inside final furlong, led closing stages, all out
mid-division, soon pushed along, ridden and no extra 2f out
held up towards rear, progress on outer 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
prominent, disputed halfway, led 2 1/2f out, ridden under 2f out, joined inside final furlong, headed closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, slightly hampered 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, edged left over 1f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, held close home
dwelt, soon tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place halfway, no extra 2f out
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
went slightly left from stalls, soon tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
dwelt slightly and hampered, held up, ridden to close 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up on far side, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra
Lord Dudley proved a tough and consistent handicapper last term, his rating rising from 59 when third here a year ago to an end-of-season career-high of 86. Johnny Murtagh runs two course and distance winners in Half Nutz and Trueba. Both won their final starts last year but the former is having a first run for this yard so it's the latter who is preferred of the pair. Stylistic Approach is interesting but may possibly find the trip too sharp so MICKEY THE STEEL gets the vote. Though yet to score in 15 attempts, he went close here on his final outing last season and the booking of Colin Keane suggests he's ready to roll.
Lord Dudley (IRE) 9-4fav (9-10) Prominent, soon led, pushed along and headed under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly challenged leader under 1f out, kept on well, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Dandyville (9-3) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gf in Sep.
Stylistic Approach (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) Rear of mid-division, pushed along approaching straight and no impression 1 1/2f out, headway early final furlong and not clear run over 100 yards out, kept on well to go 4th close home, 4th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Dilawara (9-13) at Leopardstown 7f hcp gd in Oct.
Half Nutz (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway from halfway, impeded from 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Naas 6f hcp Yielding in Oct beating Sounds Of Spring (8-11) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Affable 33-1 (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out and some headway 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, never a factor, 8th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Excuzio Joe (9-0) at Navan 1m hcp fll sft in Oct.
Breaking Story (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, detached before halfway, closer entering straight, pushed along 2f out and briefly short of room 1f out, switched right and kept on final 100 yards, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Elzaam Blue (9-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Mar.
Mickey The Steel 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders on far side, on terms 1 1/2f out, ridden and narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on well, just failed, 2nd of 12, nk behind Carlton Banks (9-7) at Naas 6f mdn hvy in Oct.
Bears Hug (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, bumped at 1st, ridden 3 out, weakened, 16th of 18, dist behind Global Export (11-7) at Navan 2m mdn Yielding in Mar.
Trueba (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Bellewstown 1m hcp Yielding in Sep beating Meishar (10-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Cleveleys 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on far side, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra, 7th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Earls (8-10) at Naas 5f hcp hvy in Oct.
Abeona (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, raced in rear, 10th halfway, no impression 1 1/2f out, never a factor, 11th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Sister Lola (9-2) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Alqabeela (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) A little slow into stride, in rear and detached early and pushed along briefly, took closer order but pushed along again before straight, no impression 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 12 1/4l behind That's Just Dandy (9-7) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Oct.
