mid-division and keen hold, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, eased final furlong
held up towards rear, headway into 4th 2f out, ridden into 2nd and no impression winner 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight
led early, headed after 2f, regained lead 3 1/2f out, ridden clear 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, easily
held up towards rear, some late headway in moderate 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra over 1f out
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, soon no extra and kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 2f out, ridden and no impression leader 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen hold and chased leaders, led after 2f, headed 3 1/2f out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2f out, weakened
It's very difficult to be positive about any of these, most of who are making their handicap debuts after running moderately in maidens. The market may prove the best guide but Johnny Murtagh's presence on board MERKEL could just swing things the way of Edward Lynam's filly as she's shown signs of ability in her three runs. The County Meath trainer also runs Beloved Leader, another with just three maiden runs but showing little so far. Chevanah scored on her racecourse debut for Ann Duffield at Ripon last May so a long absence shouldn't be too much of a problem and she's likely to be tuned up for this. Kedleston has shown a glimmer of ability and could do best of the remainder.
Merkel (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Pressed leader in 2nd, lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 7l behind Sindjara (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn fll pol in Dec.
Chevanah (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 8l behind Nemushka (9-3) at Redcar 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Golden Clubs (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, last of 14, 18l behind Nero Emperor (9-5) at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
Kedleston (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 14, 9l behind Banner Road (8-8) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Beloved Leader 22-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden entering straight, 7th 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 13l behind Muck'n'brass (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3yo mdn stks pol.
Luaimneach 33-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Aquilonius (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Samollie (IRE) 33-1 (7-11) Soon towards rear, ridden entering straight, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 10, 6l behind Aquilonius (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Daydawn (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) In rear, never a factor, pushed along entering straight, kept on one pace, 6th of 8, 10l behind Jemima's Pearl (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll pol in Aug.
Engage The Dance (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 12l behind Aloof (8-9) at Dundalk 1m Conditions Stakes (2yo) pol in Nov.
John's Legend (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 14, 17l behind Nero Emperor (9-5) at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.
