None of these have won over the trip on the Flat but the very versatile PIRES will have no problems whatsoever staying and though he's yet to score on the surface this looks another for his collection. A winning hurdler and chaser, he's also scored twice on the level and though having a big weight to carry he'll take some beating. Atmospheric High also has plenty of weight and he's yet to prove he stays anywhere near this trip, a remark that also applies to Fairylike, a winner over 1m4f last month. Blue Cannon found 1m4f much too short here last week and is much better suited to a thorough test of stamina as he showed when scoring over 2m2f at Down Royal in September. Rodriguez was going well over timber last summer and, as he has already scored on this track in the past, he's one to keep an eye on in the betting.
Atmospheric High (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Mid-division, 6th 4f out, moderate 5th early straight, closer over 1f out and kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 3l behind Fairylike (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp pol in Feb.
Pires 6-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th 2f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Brassbound (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-85 pol in Oct.
Rodriguez (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Akasaka (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (60-90) (4yo+) pol in May.
Fairylike (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Soon mid-division, well off the pace, some headway from before straight, soon 5th, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Shukhov (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f app hcp pol.
Ordinary Man (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear, effort on outer straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 8th of 11, 13l behind Lonan (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol.
Blue Cannon (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Soon mid-division, headway to have every chance from 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Mad For Road (8-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Teodolite (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Towards rear, niggled along from early, 7th from 4f out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 15l behind Shifting (9-0) at Gowran Park 1m 1f 3yo fll stks gs in Aug.
First Impressions (IRE) 28-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, some headway into moderate 8th 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace straight, 6th of 14, 17l behind El Salvador (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stks pol in Feb.
Kavanagh (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Soon raced in 3rd, 4th approaching 6f out, soon struggling and no impression from over 4f out, 8th of 10, 40l behind Captain Cee Bee (9-6) at Curragh 2m hcp 60-100 sft in Jul.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed after 4f, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no extra from 1f out, 8th of 14, 6l behind Starstruck (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Oct.
Scottish Reel (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Keen early, settled 2nd, 4th halfway, lost place 4f out, no extra from 2f out, last of 10, 41l behind Leyland (9-3) at Galway 1m 4f App hcp hvy in Sep.
Diamondgeezer Luke (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, moderate 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 17l behind Fairylike (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp pol in Feb.
Magical Moon 25-1 (9-5) Soon chased leaders, well off pace, moderate 6th over 4f out, soon no impression under pressure, 7th of 10, 41l behind Chamonix (9-5) at Killarney 1m 6f mdn stks in Jul.
