held up in touch, ridden in 5th 3f out, no impression
led, headed after 5f, ridden and weakened from 5f out
chased leaders, close 3rd entering straight, ridden in 3rd on outer under 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up in rear, progress from 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, stayed on well without threatening winner final furlong
chased leaders, closer in 2nd 4f out, led and ridden 3f out, strongly pressed from 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
prominent, led after 5f, ridden and headed 3f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong
BEAU MICHAEL has won off higher marks than this on the Flat and scored over hurdles at the Punchestown Festival and though he ran poorly on his only subsequent start this isn't the toughest of races and he can score again. Takeyourcapoff is reasonably consistent at this sort of level and will enjoy the quicker ground more than most unlike Concrete And Clay, who doesn't win very often and has done better when there has been plenty of give. Blue Cannon would have a chance at his best but arrives out of form having been beaten a long way on his most recent start over timber.
Admiral Barry (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, chased leader approaching straight and ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no extra, 12th of 14, 8l behind Aladdins Cave (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Beau Michael 8-1 (8-8) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, 3rd 4f out, closer but ridden 3f out, under pressure in 5th 2f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 13l behind Justification (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp sft in Apr.
Takeyourcapoff (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) In rear, headway from 4f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on well close home, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Sir Ector (9-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gs in Aug.
Passion Planet (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 15l behind Bernisdale (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 13-8fav (11-2) 5th of 13, 8l behind Rodriguez (11-4) at Dundalk 2m am hcp 50-80 pol in Mar.
Roja Dove (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, last of 14, 13l behind Starstruck (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct.
El Gran Torino (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 3f out, ridden into moderate 4th entering straight, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 9l behind Catch The Moment (11-2) at Galway 1m 4f am mdn stks gd in Jul '11.
Concrete And Clay 7-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along into 7th 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon disputed, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Clara Bel La (8-13) at Tipperary 1m 4f Handicap (50-85) (4yo+) hvy.
