soon mid-division, closer order from before 4 out, soon tracked leaders, 3rd before 2 out, chased leader along inner from before last, led and stayed on well closing stages
chased leaders, fell 5th
disputed lead for much, headed 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 4th for much, closed up from after 3 out, challenged and on terms from before next, soon led, awkward last, headed and kept on without quite matching winner closing stages
waited with, 9th before 4 out, no impression from after next
close up and disputed lead, dropped to 5th after 3 out, soon no extra
disputed lead for much, 2nd approaching 3 out, soon lost place under pressure and no extra
towards rear, 7th before 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
chased leaders, 6th before 4 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out
VOLKIS O'BLUE was a surprise winner of this a year ago and though he was on a 13lb lower mark he's still capable of winning at this level and can come out on top against Rating Queen, who has been handed a 9lb rise following her victory at Thurles last month. Pink Goddess has won just once in 20 starts over timber and is still a few pounds high and though Ballyquin Queen had some reasonable form for Philip Hobbs she may just need this first start for new connections. The remainder enter the fray out of form though the market is best watched for signs of a possible revival.
Ballyquin Queen (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led until after 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place 6th, ridden and weakened after 8th, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Pickworth (9-10) at Aintree 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Volkis O'blue (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Never a factor, 11th of 16, 42l behind Happy New Year (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Rating Queen (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) Always close up, 2nd halfway, challenged 3 out, led entering straight, strongly pressed from 2 out, kept on well under pressure, all out, won at Thurles 2m 2f cond hcp hdl 80-95 in Nov beating High Class Show (11-4) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
All The Way Home (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Towards rear, no impression from 3 out, one pace, 12th of 18, 41l behind Annie Power (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
A Hill To Climb (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 12th of 20, 48l behind Tipped Up Harry (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-95 sft.
Pink Goddess (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Prominent, slight mistake 2nd, soon chased leaders, no extra 5 out, 13th of 16, 47l behind Tillahow (11-12) at Thurles 2m beg chs in Nov.
Al Dafa (USA) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, no extra entering straight, weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Court Jester (10-4) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 hvy.
Pairc Na Leasa (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) In rear when hampered 2nd, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Living Next Door (11-4) at Limerick 2m 3f mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
War (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Always behind, 10th of 16, 41l behind Happy New Year (10-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 hvy.
Kizzy O (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 4 out, 14th of 20, 49l behind Tipped Up Harry (11-5) at Cork 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 80-95 sft.
