held up behind leaders, ridden entering straight, closer in 4th 2f out, soon no extra
led and disputed, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, headed and no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
slowly into stride and towards rear, closer in 6th and switched to inner 2f out, ridden and headway into 3rd 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no impression over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden entering straight, 6th 1f out, no extra
always towards rear, ridden entering straight, soon no impression
took keen hold and soon led, headed halfway, ridden and weakened from 2f out
Antiquus began her winning run in December off a mark of 67 and looked in the handicapper's grip from 16lb higher last month when Ask Dad, who finished just in front of her, was having his first start since June and making his debut for new connections. Knock Stars finished a close third in that race and has been running well from this sort of mark without quite getting there. Harry Trotter was in good form for most of last year and was having his first start since June when not disgraced behind Grey Danube three weeks ago. BLUE BULLET, who finished runner-up, has dropped to a very lenient mark and it's about time he was winning on the surface so gets the nod. Califante, narrowly beaten in a Salisbury Listed event in 2012 when rated 99, has been running well from tonight's mark though over longer trips. The much-travelled Oor Jock has a poor strike-rate as does Moonbi Creek, who hasn't raced over a trip this short since his debut in 2011.
Harry Trotter (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Chased leaders on inner, hampered on inner before halfway, ridden entering straight, 5th 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 7, 6l behind Grey Danube (8-11) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol in Jan.
Antiquus (IRE) 7-2 (9-13) Chased leaders on outer, ridden in 7th on outer 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Sylvan Mist (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol in Jan.
Ask Dad 20-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden entering straight, dropped to 8th 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 3l behind Sylvan Mist (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol in Jan.
Knock Stars (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Sylvan Mist (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol in Jan.
Califante 9-4fav (10-0) Prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Cool Athlete (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Jan.
Blue Bullet (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Held up in touch early, progress to chase leaders halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, went 2nd under 2f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Grey Danube (8-11) at Dundalk 6f hcap pol in Jan.
Oor Jock (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, switched right and ridden over 2f out, 10th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Greek Canyon (9-11) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Oct.
Moonbi Creek (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden in close 5th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Stoichkhov (8-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
