led, pressed from over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace under pressure
settled in rear on inner, headway between horses early straight to go 3rd, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong without reaching winner
held up racing keenly, pushed along from over 1f out, kept on one pace without threatening
tracked leaders on outer in 3rd, pushed along in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, headway to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and kept on well
BLUE DAHLIA's first two starts were on this track before she scored on the opening day of the Flat season at the Curragh a year ago. She repeated that success last month and though 7lb higher can go in again. The veteran Quinmaster had very little racing last year but ran a superb race over 6f here in November when just failing to get up and holds Calm Bay on that form. It will be a surprise if he has the pace for this but Partner is very speedy and was one of last year's success stories when rising 27lb in the handicap. The Reaper and Knock Stars both did well in their first campaigns and a three-year-old won the race last year.
Calm Bay (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and challenged 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Dash Back (8-9) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Partner (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division far side, never dangerous, 22nd of 26, 8l behind Redford (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Quinmaster (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 10l behind Webbow (9-3) at Dundalk 7f 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Blue Dahlia (IRE) 9-2 (7-8) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 6f ext hcp sft in Mar beating Three Way Stretch (8-3) by 2l, 16 ran.
The Reaper (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd and ridden to challenge under 2f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Madeira Man (8-6) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp pol in Nov.
Knock Stars (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along in 9th approaching straight, no extra from 2f out, last of 14, 12l behind Empowering (9-1) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) in Mar.
