mid-division on outer, headway into 3rd halfway, 2nd briefly approaching straight, no extra and weakening when hampered over 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong
led, headed 5f out, soon no extra under pressure and weakened, tailed off
always towards rear, weakened approaching straight
tracked leader in 2nd, led 5f out, driven along and strongly pressed from over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to assert closing stages
towards rear, ridden approaching straight, 6th 2f out, no extra
settled towards rear on inner, headway entering straight, 2nd and challenged from under 2f out, no extra under pressure well inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inner in 3rd, ridden and no impression on leaders from over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along approaching straight, no extra from well over 1f out, kept on one pace
Big Occasion is related to numerous winners and the son of Sadler's Wells made a reasonable debut behind Pirans Rock at Listowel in September. That race hasn't worked out too badly but the fact that this is his belated reappearance may hand the initiative to ZANOUBIYA. John Oxx's Dalakhani filly showed little on her only juvenile start but caught the eye with a nice display on her return behind Unity at Fairyhouse earlier this month and will have come on for the outing. Raffaello Santi looked in need of the experience when fourth to Miss Cool at Wexford and looks sure to make progress though a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of Gipsy Countess, an expensive daughter of Sadler's Wells who will be better for her run behind Leo Gali at Roscommon where she found 1m2f too short.
Down The Dale (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, improved to lead halfway, ridden and headed over 3f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, weakened, 8th of 14, 31l behind Fantasy King (10-7) at Leopardstown 1m 6f mdn stks gf.
Iron Hans (USA) 50-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, ridden into moderate 9th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 21l behind Stately Home (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks sft in Apr '09.
Bayswell Lad (IRE) Leporello gelding out of Red Fanfare.
Big Occasion (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Soon prominent and disputed, narrow lead halfway, ridden and challenged 1 1/2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Pirans Rock (8-12) at Listowel 1m 2yo mdn sft in Sep.
Devils Bit (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Never a factor, 12th of 15, 11l behind Zarebiya (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd.
Raffaello Santi (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Towards rear, some headway into 9th and pushed along entering straight, 7th 2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Miss Coco (9-0) at Wexford 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd in May.
Gipsy Countess (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, went moderate 7th before straight, no impression from over 2f out, 7th of 14, 11l behind Leo Gali (9-0) at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo fll stks gf in May.
Zanoubiya (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, progress from 3f out, ridden in 4th over 2f out, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Unity (8-13) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f mdn stks gd.
