chased leader, led after 2f, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure, headed close home and no extra
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
held up, 7th halfway, ridden 3f out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, 9th halfway, ridden into 7th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened entering straight, tailed off
led, headed after 2f, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong to dispute last 50 yards, headed close home
mid-division early, 5th halfway, ridden into 4th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home
Rose Angel looked to be travelling best on her hat-trick attempt last week but her effort petered out and she may be feeling the strain. Cheers Buddy is only up 4lb for his recent success and it will be a surprise if he's not competitive while Ningaloo Reef and Toufan Express are very closely matched on their 1-2 here last month when Alvar was a disappointing favourite. COOL ATHLETE, a winner over the course and distance in September, had a break before returning over 7f two weeks ago where he couldn't quite muster up the pace to get to Doc Holliday. This is his trip and he's taken to score again.
Beat The Ballot (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Chased leaders on outer, ridden entering straight, soon weakened, eased final furlong, last of 18, well behind Stony Grey (9-7) at Navan 1m 2f hcp 55-80 in Oct.
Jpevie (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, ridden along in 8th approaching straight and no threat from 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 13l behind Empresario (9-7) at Listowel 1m hcp 60-90 sft in Jun.
Ningaloo Reef (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on in 6th 1f out, stayed on to 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Doc Holliday (8-12) at Dundalk 7f stks (0-75) pol in Nov.
Alvar (USA) 9-4fav (9-6) Mid-division, wide and effort straight, moderate 6th and kept on same pace from 1f out, 5th of 9, 5l behind Ningaloo Reef (9-7) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Toufan Express 20-1 (9-12) Towards rear, closer in 6th approaching straight, improved to challenge from under 2f out, close 4th 1f out, kept on well under pressure, not get to winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ningaloo Reef (9-7) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Cool Athlete (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on to 3rd inside final furlong, 4th close home, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Doc Holliday (8-12) at Dundalk 7f stks (0-75) pol in Nov.
Rose Angel (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Ran freely early to chase leader, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Reckless Lad (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Nov.
Mejd (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Soon mid-division, no extra straight, 15th of 18, 18l behind Rock Critic (9-11) at Galway 1m hcp 60-90 gd in Jul '11.
The Black Devil (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, short of room early straight and no impression towards rear 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 8l behind Goal (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-75 pol in Nov.
Cheers Buddy (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, led narrowly under 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Nov beating Pyromaniac (9-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
