waited with behind leaders, effort to go 2nd before straight, 3rd over 1f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon tracked leader, 3rd over 3f out, soon struggling, no extra and kept on same pace in last from before straight
keen hold and soon tracked leaders in 3rd, led travelling well over 3f out, strongly pressed and stayed on best final furlong
soon led, niggled along over 4f out, headed over 3f out, 2nd after, still every chance final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages
Mojita certainly deserved her victory at Ballinrobe after running consistently well but she was six lengths behind Goldplated when the latter scored at Leopardstown in September and appears unlikely to reverse the form. Goldplated has been struggling in Group company, including at Cork on Sunday, when she led for a long way in the 1m4f Group 3 event won by Sapphire. Swampfire hasn't progressed as expected after her success at Limerick last April and she had a run over hurdles last month so this can go to ELUSIVE RIDGE. He'd been running moderately against high-class opposition before dropping back to 7f to score at Fairyhouse and with his confidence boosted can continue in the same vein.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Disputed early, headed after 1f, ridden 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 7f stks sft beating Banna Boirche (10-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Swampfire (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra, last of 5, 5l behind Solo Performer (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Goldplated (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, dropped to moderate 3rd 1 1/2f out, weakened, 7th of 8, 13l behind Sapphire (9-9) at Cork 1m 4f flls Group 3 stks (1) sft.
Mojita (IRE) Evens (10-0) Soon prominent, got to the front after a couple of furlongs, made rest, asserted under pressure from 1 1/2f out, stayed on well, won at Ballinrobe 1m 1f fll stks gf in May beating Cloudracer (9-1) by 4l, 5 ran.
