made all, driven clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up in last place, outpaced over 4f out, hung left over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, outpaced over 5f out, rallied over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
SWEET DIME took her time to open her account for Jessica Harrington in Ireland but ended last year with a double over 1m4f at Dundalk. Sold for 72,000gns in December, she looks a good addition to Jedd O’Keefe’s yard with more to come as a four-year-old. She’s preferred to stablemate Groveman, who was still beaten a long way when runner-up over track and trip, while Sexy Beast hasn’t run since the summer of 2018. But Ilhabela Fact returned to winning ways with a victory over 1m3f at Kempton earlier this month and should be thereabouts at the finish once again.
Groveman 7-1 (9-7) In touch main group, went 2nd and headway over 3f out, led briefly over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Ice Pyramid (9-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Sweet Dime 6-1 (8-10) Soon raced in 5th, pushed along before straight, progress and on terms 2f out, soon led, kept on well inside final furlong to hold on at the finish, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Nimitz (9-5) by nk, 11 ran.
Sexy Beast 7-2 (8-12) Held up in last pair, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, inclined to edge right and soon beaten, dropped to last inside final furlong, last of 5, 4 1/4l behind Jackfinbar (9-7) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Ilhabela Fact 7-4fav (9-4) Prominent, effort on inside over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Allegiant (9-7) by nk, 7 ran.
