Mark Johnston appears to have spotted an opportunity here for BAY WILLOW, a very easy winner of a maiden at Leicester before an improved run when fourth behind Dandini in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot. That was only the fifth start of his career and from just 2lbs higher he will be difficult to beat. This has been won for the past two years by horses carrying big weights so Celtic Dane and Northgate, who fought out a tremendous finish at Down Royal last week, are likely to be involved again with the winner taken to confirm the form despite being slightly worse off at the weights. Ballyhaunis is one to note despite his long absence while Ceannline is in cracking form and the battling qualities that saw her beat Musical Rain at Limerick will see her in good stead. Her trainer, Jim Bolger, also runs Mianach, who was unplaced here on Friday. The lightly-raced Behtarini makes his handicap bow from a lowly mark and was beaten just over two lengths by Jan Vermeer at Gowran in September.
Northgate (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Towards rear, progress 2f out, wide and 5th over 1f out, challenged under pressure and on terms well inside final furlong, bumped, narrowly headed near line, 2nd of 10, shd behind Celtic Dane (9-5) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fm.
Celtic Dane (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, progress from 2f out, ridden into 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon joined and bumped, regained slim lead near line, won at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fm beating Northgate (9-9) by shd, 10 ran.
Mid Mon Lady (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway in 5th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on to 2nd inside final furlong, no impression leader, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Shareen (8-1) at Down Royal 1m 2f fll hcp gf.
Ballyhaunis 4-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, mainly 4th, ridden in 3rd 2 1/2f out, no extra from over 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Mourad (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f 3yo stk hvy in Sep '08.
Vivacious Vivienne (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 10l behind Shareen (8-1) at Down Royal 1m 2f fll hcp gf.
Tovaria 13-2 (8-9) Mid-division, 8th into straight, short of room 2f out, headway between horses entering final furlong, ran on well to lead close home, won at Roscommon 1m 4f hcap gf beating Holyrood (8-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ceannline (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to dispute entering straight, led over 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, held on, won at Limerick 1m 3f flls hcp 60-95 gd beating Musical Rain (7-13) by hd, 9 ran.
Gimli's Rock (IRE) 9-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, mainly 3rd, challenged under pressure and led over 1f out, stayed on well, headed on line, 2nd of 16, shd behind Vivacious Vivienne (8-5) at Curragh 1m 4f hcap gf in May.
Holyrood 25-1 (8-1) Led, ridden and strongly pressed entering straight, headed over 1f out, rallied under pressure, kept on well, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Tovaria (8-9) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcap gf.
Baracas (FR) 9-2 (8-12) Keen hold early, soon tracked leaders, dropped to 6th and tending to hang from over 1f out, soon no extra, 7th of 10, 10l behind Celtic Dane (9-5) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp fm.
Whispering Wind (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden into 9th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 11th of 22, 22l behind Les Fazzani (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 4f fll hcp in Sep.
Behtarini (IRE) 4-7fav (9-5) Tracked leaders on outer in 3rd, smooth headway to challenge under 2f out, ridden from 1f out and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, hd behind Captain James Cook (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f 3yo mdn stks pol in Apr.
Bay Willow (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Led after 2f, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed just over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra and dropped to 4th on line, 4th of 18, 3l behind Dandino (8-13) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Righteous Man (IRE) 9-2fav (8-12) Mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden into 7th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 10th of 15, 10l behind Barring Decree (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 gf in May.
Lancetto (FR) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 8th 4f out, headway entering straight, 6th over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 11th of 22, 9l behind Silent Decision (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 55-85 in Oct.
First Row (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Held up, 11th 4f out, 6th early straight, 4th and ridden 2f out, kept on without threatening winner, 3rd of 22, 8l behind Catch Me (9-12) at Curragh 2m stk gs in Apr '06.
Mianach (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Rear of mid-division, not clear run early straight, 10th over 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out to lead closing stages, won at Navan 1m 2f hcp 50-80 gf beating Livaleo (9-11) by 1l, 17 ran.
