mid-division, ridden to close 2f out, under pressure in 5th over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong to go 3rd at line
held up in rear, progress on outer 3f out, closer in 5th 2f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, disputed 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well
settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and closer on far side 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 3rd at line
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out
JASON THE MILITANT is unbeaten in two starts on the level as well as being a talented hurdler. His Listed win here last October sets the form standard and the drop back to 1m2f should not prove an inconvenience in the yielding ground. Cleveland returns from an absence of over 500 days for Aidan O'Brien but commands respect as it's noteworthy that the yard send the Curragh maiden winner straight into Listed grade. Licence hacked up on sole start in a Gowran maiden last June and could be anything with the more-exposed Patrick Sarsfield, Lafayette and Barrington Court also likely to play a part in the day's feature.
Bear Story (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden in 8th 2f out, 6th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Georgeville (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Layfayette (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Mid-division, 8th halfway, headway entering straight, pushed along in 3rd over 2f out, ridden in 2nd and no impression when edged right 1f out, soon 3rd, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 3 3/4l behind Jason The Militant (9-8) at Naas 1m 4f lst stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Cleveland (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, soon disputed 5th, headway and effort straight, gained narrow lead from 2f out, asserted and stayed on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 1f mdn hvy in Nov beating Kailash (9-7) by 4l, 11 ran.
Licence 4-5fav (9-7) Led briefly, soon headed, 2nd halfway, improved to lead over 2f out, ridden under 2f out, asserted 1f out, kept on well, eased close home, easily, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f mdn gd in Jun beating Silaiyli (9-7) by 6l, 13 ran.
Patrick Sarsfield (FR) 4-1 (9-8) Chased leaders on inner, ridden and no impression in 6th 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 34 3/4l behind Jason The Militant (9-8) at Naas 1m 4f lst stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Party House (IRE) 18-5fav (8-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along approaching straight, soon ridden and dropped to 6th 2f out, no extra and eased final furlong, 11th of 13, 21l behind Pineapple Express (9-4) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp fll sft in Aug.
Pita Pinta (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Mid-division, bumped after 1 1/2f, 6th halfway, pushed along in 3rd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon challenged and led 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Galway 1m 4f hcp hvy in Oct beating Lord Erskine (8-8) by 5l, 13 ran.
Jason The Militant (IRE) 10-3fav (9-8) Waited with in mid-division, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 3f out, soon pushed along to assert, ridden and 3 lengths clear 1f out, idled in front, kept on well to hold on, won at Naas 1m 4f lst stks (1) hvy in Oct beating Azallya (8-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Barrington Court (IRE) 13-8fav (9-8) Waited with towards rear, 15th approaching straight, soon headway and effort, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Thunder Kiss (9-13) at Naas 1m 4f lst stks (1) Yielding in Oct.
