made all, ridden clear early straight, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong
always towards rear
held up, 11th halfway, 8th and progress entering straight, 5th and no impression inside final furlong
close up in 2nd, ridden and weakened approaching straight
mid-division, weakened from 3f out
held up towards rear, progress on inner over 3f out, 7th into straight, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders in 4th, improved into 2nd entering straight, soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out, kept on under pressure
mid-division, progress into 6th before straight, 5th and ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 7th, improved into 4th entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, no extra final furlong
rear of mid-division, dropped towards rear entering straight, no extra
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, weakened from 3f out
held up towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, moderate 5th under 1f out, kept on
always towards rear
SPARRING PARTNER was having his first start for 17 months when failing by a short head to catch Mr Pianist here last month. Edward Lynam's charge was impeded by the winner close home and could have got the race in the stewards room but compensation awaits here. Tara Tartan ran well in fourth without looking like winning but the favourite Ionishpere was disappointing and will need to do much better, though he has the beating of Chaparro on their run here in September. Almanyan has been in winning form over timber and could sneak a place at a fair price.
Mr Pianist (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, joined close home, just prevailed, won at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov beating Sparring Partner (9-1) by shd, 14 ran.
Countess Salome (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 18, 6l behind Waydownsouth (9-11) at Fairyhouse 1m 1f 3yo app hcp 0-70 sft in Sep.
Sparring Partner (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway early straight, progress between horses into 2nd 1f out, soon ridden, disputed lead and slightly bumped well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Mr Pianist (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Almanyan (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden in 9th and no impression 3f out, moderate 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 13, 17l behind The Fonze (10-0) at Tramore 1m 6f hcp 47-65 fm in Aug.
Lisselan Blue Sky (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3f out, eased when beaten, last of 6, 36l behind Don Carlos (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f stks in Oct.
Chaparro (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, some late headway into 9th 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 10l behind Night Glimmer (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
Ionisphere 3-1fav (9-4) Led, strongly pressed from early straight, headed under pressure 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Mr Pianist (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Playdate 9-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 1 1/2f out, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Five Two (9-3) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Midnight Manhattan (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway on outer from early straight to go 4th under 2f out, no impression on leaders from 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Mr Pianist (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Ice Bound (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 7th halfway, 5th and effort 3f out, no extra straight, 8th of 16, 11l behind Driveheron (9-6) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp 47-65 in Sep.
Maharaja 100-1 (11-7) Prominent early, soon mid-division, no impression from 3f out, 10th of 17, 23l behind Endless Intrigue (11-12) at Galway 1m 4f am mdn stks gd in Jul.
Man Of Aran 20-1 (8-0) Disputed lead, headed over 3f out, weakened entering straight, 11th of 14, 16l behind Little Bug (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Tara Tartan (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, 9th halfway, some headway under pressure to go moderate 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 6l behind Mr Pianist (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
The Stunner 33-1 (8-10) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 4f out, 9th of 16, 12l behind Driveheron (9-6) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp 47-65 in Sep.
Cinderella Story (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, progress on inner early straight, 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 6l behind Little Bug (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Blackriver Boy 50-1 (9-9) Led and disputed on inner, 3rd 5f out, no extra under pressure from over 3f out, dropped to 5th approaching straight, 5th of 6, 41l behind Westlake (9-5) at Sligo 1m 2f stks gs in Aug '07.
Samba Mirander 12-1 (9-6) Never a factor, 10th of 14, 14l behind Connyella (9-7) at Limerick 1m 3f app hcp 47-60 gd in Jun.
