chased leaders on far rail, 5th 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not match principals
prominent in centre of course, close 2nd 2f out, kept on under pressure, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders on far rail, 6th 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
prominent, 3rd 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, weakened
mid-division in centre of course, ridden in 6th over 1f out and edged left, quickened up well to lead 100 yards out, headed under pressure final strides
mid-division, 9th halfway, no extra from under 2f out
switched left after leaving stalls and towards rear, not clear run 2f out, kept on from over 1f out without threatening
always towards rear
chased leaders, 8th 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong without threatening
slowly away and always behind
chased leaders, 4th halfway, driven along 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, driven along from 2f out, strongly pressed and headed 100 yards out, rallied under pressure to lead again closing strides
chased leaders, 6th halfway, no impression in 8th 1f out
always towards rear, never a factor
never a factor
Previous renewals have shown middle-to-high numbers best which may rule out a quick double from Six Of Hearts, who has a 5lb penalty for scoring over 7f at Naas on Monday. The very progressive MAAREK is drawn five but hopefully it won't cause too much of a problem. He beat a big field over this C&D in April before an even better run when a very close fourth in a huge field at the Curragh and with just 2lb extra is taken to get back on the winning trail. Johnny Murtagh will have no problems with the draw on board The Reaper, whose two career victories have come on Polytrack but who ran a superb race behind the classy Rose Bonheur at Naas a month ago. He looks certain to go well as do the very consistent pair Calm Bay and the returning Speed Dream, who ended the last campaign with a victory at the Curragh in August.
Six of Hearts 7-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 6th 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, kept on well under pressure, just held on, won at Naas 7f hcp gf beating Collingwood (9-6) by shd, 16 ran.
Calm Bay (IRE) 9-4 (9-12) Soon chased leader in 2nd, challenged 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out, headed final 150yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Blue Dahlia (8-13) at Down Royal 5f stks gf in May.
Airspace (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Led and disputed, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 17, 9l behind Mini Chou (7-13) at Navan 5f hcp 60-100 gf in May.
Tornadodancer (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division on inside, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 9l behind Edinburgh Knight (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
The Reaper (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, driven along 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Rose Bonheur (8-13) at Naas 6f 3yo ext hcp gf in May.
Thats A Fret (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Chased leaders early, 9th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 17, 12l behind Mini Chou (7-13) at Navan 5f hcp 60-100 gf in May.
Empirico (FR) 14-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden in 14th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 17, 7l behind Mini Chou (7-13) at Navan 5f hcp 60-100 gf in May.
Speed Dream (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up in rear of mid-division, smooth headway between horses from 2f out, went 4th 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Curragh 6f hcp 50-85 gf in Aug beating Queenie Keen (8-6) by 1l, 15 ran.
Maarek 7-1fav (9-11) Mid-division on stand's side, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, 4th of 30, 1/2l behind Roicead (9-8) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 gd in May.
Johnstown Lad (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 13th of 14, 14l behind Take Ten (8-8) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Oct.
Murura (IRE) 5-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 27, 8l behind Queenie Keen (9-2) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 gf.
Patrickswell (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Led and disputed, ridden and headed under 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 11l behind Mini Chou (7-13) at Navan 5f hcp 60-100 gf in May.
Liberty Island (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, 16th of 27, 12l behind Queenie Keen (9-2) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 gf.
Gandolfini (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 21st of 27, 14l behind Queenie Keen (9-2) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 gf.
Royal Intruder 33-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway into 7th 2f out, ridden and no extra over 1f out, 13th of 27, 11l behind Queenie Keen (9-2) at Curragh 6f hcp 50-80 gf.
