tracked leaders, 7th 2f out, 8th and no extra 1f out, soon eased
soon disputed lead, narrowly headed from under 2f out, 3rd 1f out, soon no impression, no extra and eased inside final furlong
in rear, switched right to outer 2f out, ridden to go 5th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, led inside final 100yds
soon chased leaders, 6th travelling smoothly 2f out, still 6th and ridden 1f out, headway but no impression when no room inside final 50yds
soon tracked leaders, 4th 2f out, still 4th 1f out, no impression when short of room 100yds out, kept on
towards rear, 9th 2f out, dropped to 10th under pressure and no impression 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
soon towards rear, pushed along from halfway, 8th 2f out, 9th and no impression 1f out
tracked leaders, 5th 2f out, dropped to 7th 1f out, soon no impression
soon disputed lead, narrowly headed from under 2f out, 2nd 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final 100yds
held up, towards rear when pushed along before halfway, last and no impression 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
MASAI has missed a few opportunities in recent weeks so should be ready for this and though needing to justify his high rating looks the type to have a good second season so gets the verdict. Norville ran his best race for a very long time on his reappearance at the Curragh and if in that kind of mood would definitely get into the frame. Wexford Opera is very consistent in this sort of company and with his yard still going strongly he's on the shortlist while Arctic has been taking on much better class since landing a handicap at Navan in 2012, his last success, and he's now back on that mark.
Arctic (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out and no impression 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 10l behind An Saighdiur (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) hvy.
My Good Brother (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened from over 2f out, 23rd of 24, 17l behind Nero Emperor (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Gathering Power (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Raced in near side group to halfway where 15th, some headway in 10th but no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 11th of 20, 6l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
Masai (IRE) 2-5fav (9-5) Dwelt, soon chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct beating Kernoff (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wexford Opera (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on stands' side, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon weakened, 18th of 24, 11l behind Nero Emperor (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
More Questions (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Raced in far side group to halfway where 13th, improved into 6th 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 5th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
Elusive In Paris (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Raced in far side group to halfway where 11th, improved into 5th 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 4th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
Kiss The Stars (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Prominent, close 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, soon weakened quickly, 14th of 24, 8l behind Nero Emperor (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Ask Dad 20-1 (9-2) Raced in far side group to halfway where 7th, 8th and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
Norville (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Raced in far side group to halfway where 3rd, challenged under pressure and on terms 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on again to close on winner near finish, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
Seal Rock 16-1 (9-3) Raced in near side group to halfway where 12th, dropped to 14th 1f out, no impression, 13th of 20, 11l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
