held up towards rear, headway and not clear run 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, switched to inner and kept on final furlong to press winner close home
soon led, headed after 2f, ridden to regain lead 2f out and soon strongly pressed, kept on well under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, eased final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
always towards rear
chased leaders, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra and weakened
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, moderate 6th under 1f out, kept on one pace
BALMONT FLYER can complete the hat-trick despite a massive 11lb rise for his latest easy success over the track and trip where he was always travelling well and drew away in the closing stages. This is more difficult but he can keep up the winning streak with Salam Alaykum likely to give him most to do. John Egan's charge has returned from a break in very good form having been thought good enough to run in a Group 3 here in October. He's ready to win again soon and just has the beating of Prince Of Fashion on their run behind Gretsky last time. Silverlord is held by that pair though he's slipping to a winnable mark and could snatch a place.
Denny Crane 7-1 (9-8) Held up in rear of mid-division, short of room in 9th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 13, 5l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Salam Alaykum (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Led or disputed lead, advantage approaching straight, strongly pressed early straight and joined over 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed closing stages, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Balmont Flyer (IRE) Evensfav (10-0) Chased leaders, improved to lead travelling well 2f out, soon clear, ridden and reduced advantage 1f out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan beating Trans City (9-11) by 3l, 12 ran.
Prince Of Fashion (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders in 7th, ridden early straight and 6th 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Traveller's Tales 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on, no impression towards finish, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Rhagori (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Alghanem (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Waited with towards rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 5l behind Shake The Bucket (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol in Jan.
Silverlord (FR) 25-1 (8-3) Mid-division, 6th approaching straight, headway early straight and tried to challenge in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Tawariyka (USA) 6-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten and eased from 1 1/2f out, 13th of 15, 33l behind Mayhem Freddie (7-11) at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 47-75 gd in Mar.
Solid Air 12-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 12l behind Alvar (9-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
King's Bastion (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, 9th of 11, 20l behind Saratoga Baby (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol in Jan.
