chased leaders in 3rd, driven along approaching straight, headway under pressure to lead 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and progress from 2f out, went 2nd early final furlong, kept on under pressure, not reach winner
always prominent. led, headed before halfway, disputed entering straight, kept on under pressure, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong
never a factor
chased leaders, saddle slipped before halfway, trailing in straight, tailed off
prominent, led before halfway, joined entering straight, kept on under pressure until headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, 6th approaching straight, no impression from over 1f out
towards rear, some headway early straight, kept on one pace on outer from over 1f out without threatening leaders
The veteran NEWMARKET STORY had dropped to a very lowly mark when scoring at Ballinrobe last time and even a 7lb hike in the ratings shouldn't prevent a quick follow up. Grand Cru has run well over hurdles since completing a double on the Flat and is by no means badly treated despite a big weight. Darraghs Day created a real shock on his return to action at Dundalk - his first-ever run on Polytrack. The assessor has hit him with an 11lb rise but this very lightly-raced gelding could be capable of springing another surprise. Galakina has shown glimpses of ability and may do best of the remainder.
Grand Cru 9-2 (9-7) Soon tracked leaders, challenged under pressure and led 1f out, soon pressed, stayed on well, won at Tramore 1m 6f hcp 47-65 gf in Jun beating Whitehead Lad (8-10) by nk, 9 ran.
Newmarket Story (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Soon chased leaders, closed into 2nd and ridden from under 3f out, led well inside final furlong and stayed on well, won at Ballinrobe 1m 6f app hcp 47-65 gd beating Second Glance (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Galakina (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Soon mid-division, kept on same pace from before straight, 7th of 17, 7l behind Asiya (9-4) at Tipperary 1m 6f hcp 50-75 in Jun.
Teak (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, keen hold, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 9th of 18, 9l behind Ballochroy (9-13) at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-65 gd in Apr.
Caradan (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace straight, 7th of 9, 18l behind Peaks Of Fire (9-7) at Killarney 1m 3f mdn stks gd.
Observe Elhida (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Soon led, headed 3f out, weakened, last of 12, well behind King's Road (9-2) at Killarney 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 gd.
Lilly The Lioness (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Prominent, 2nd for much, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Hadrian's Waltz (9-0) at Wexford 1m 3yo fll stks gd.
Capacity (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Mid-division, 8th early, no extra from 2f out, 11th of 14, 11l behind Core Element (9-12) at Sligo 6f hcp 47-65 sft in Jun.
Coppers (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace from over 4f out, 9th of 14, 34l behind Lough Ferrib (9-7) at Down Royal 1m 5f app hcp 47-65 gd in Sep.
Captain Henry (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Never a factor, 15th of 18, 19l behind Prince Of Fashion (9-9) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp 47-65 gd.
Darraghs Day (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway in 8th 3f out, 6th 2f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Apr beating Sparring Partner (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
