mid-division, headway entering straight, ridden to lead 2f out, quickened clear 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, impressive
very slowly away and in rear, progress on outer into mid-division halfway, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
chased leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2f out
chased leaders, 4th entering straight, soon ridden, moderate 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden in 5th on outer 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner in 2nd inside final furlong
always towards rear, pushed along 5f out, no impression, never a factor
led, ridden entering straight, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
rear of mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, moderate 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always behind, ridden 4f out never a factor
chased leaders on inner, ridden in 3rd entering straight, soon weakened
Hudson's Bay is the undoubted form pick on his runs last season but an absence of almost a year is off-putting and he's passed over in favour of MACNICHOLSON. Jessica Harrington's charge has progressed into a useful hurdler and ran well when last seen over fences in May. Henry's Girl had some decent bumper form though her opening run under Flat Rules when runner-up at Leopardstown was over a much longer trip. Senior Counsel has run quite well in two handicaps over this trip though the interesting one here is Affinisea. He's by Sea The Stars and cost 850,000 euros as a foal so any market move on his belated debut should be noted.
Affinisea (IRE) Sea The Stars colt out of Affianced.
Captains And Kings (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Dwelt, soon chased leader in 2nd, ridden over 2f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Theos Well (9-4) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f mdn stks gd in Jun.
French Approach (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 3rd approaching straight, ridden 2f out and no impression on winner final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Awesome Star (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f amat mdn stks gf in Jun.
Hudson's Bay (IRE) 2-1fav (10-3) Held up in 4th, ran freely, pushed along and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Annus Mirabilis (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f mdn stks gf in Jul '14.
Macnicholson (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, 7th halfway, progress in 4th 3f out, challenged 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Knight's Parade (10-12) at Dundalk 2m am hcp 50-80 pol in Feb.
Phantom Navigator (USA) Henrythenavigator gelding out of Minicolony.
Senior Counsel (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Raced 2nd, dropped to 3rd and pushed along under 4f out, 4th 2 1/2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace 1f out, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Waydownsouth (9-8) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp gf in Jun.
Henry's Girl (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Dwelt, towards rear, progress approaching straight and travelled well in 4th 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Awesome Star (11-7) at Leopardstown 1m 7f amat mdn stks gf in Jun.
I Do Know (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, weakened from 2f out, 6th of 11, 15l behind Camakasi (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol in Nov.
Mrs Conn (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Reluctant to load, chased leaders, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, 4th 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Theos Well (9-4) at Ballinrobe 1m 5f mdn stks gd in Jun.
