chased leaders, pushed along halfway, 8th approaching straight, 12th 1f out
soon mid-division, checked slightly early, soon towards rear, closer in 7th approaching straight, soon pushed along, led from 1f out
chased leaders, 11th approaching straight where raced on outer, 13th 1f out
tracked leaders, on terms from before halfway, 2nd and pushed along approaching straight, 11th 1f out
prominent, 6th approaching straight, soon pushed along, chased leaders 1f out
dwelt, in rear and detached, 13th approaching straight, 10th 1f out
soon led, joined from before halfway, led again approaching straight, headed from 1f out
a little awkward leaving stalls, soon mid-division and tracked leaders from before halfway, 4th approaching straight, soon pushed along, 4th from 1f out
prominent, 5th approaching straight, switched right over 2f out, chased leaders 1f out
tracked leaders, 10th approaching straight, chased leaders 1f out
prominent, pushed along in 3rd approaching straight, 9th 1f out
towards rear, 9th approaching straight, 3rd from 1f out
towards rear, last approaching straight, soon pushed along, switched right 2f out to outer, still towards rear 1f out
chased leaders early, took keen hold, 12th approaching straight, soon pushed along, chased leaders 1f out
This is a low grade handicap but plenty of the entries are course and distance winners. Sister Slew had been in reasonable form before her narrow victory over Basilica a fortnight ago so a 3lb rise shouldn't pose a problem, especially as her rider can claim his 7lb. That was only the second all-weather start by the runner-up who should again give a good account though it's the third, Gold Tantrum, who caught the eye. However, a record of 0-29 hardly inspires confidence in the latter. Fairy Foxglove came here a week ago looking for her first victory but could only finish third and has become expensive to follow. Merry Mast has managed to go up 3lb in the weights without winning though he did run his best race for some time last month and must be on the short-list though a chance is taken with HAZEL BLUE, who won here in July and returns from a break on just 1lb higher with Shane Kelly's claim a bonus.
Merry Mast (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Held up in rear of mid-division, progress on outer entering straight, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Twistsandturns (9-10) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Norville (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 8th halfway, checked on far rail under 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Twistsandturns (9-10) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Sister Slew (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 7th halfway, progress straight and ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol beating Basilica (9-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Waterloo Sunrise (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Dwelt, towards rear, saddle slipped, 9th halfway, dropped to 12th entering straight, eased, last of 14, 45l behind Havelock Ellis (11-5) at Dundalk 2m amt hcp 47-75 pol.
Settle For Red (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Ad Vitam (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Nov.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Held up, ran freely, moderate 10th halfway, closer in 9th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 11l behind Bomber Jackson (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol.
Fairy Foxglove (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, under pressure and no impression in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Nini Ok (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Basilica 10-1 (9-0) Prominent and disputed lead, ran freely, ridden in 2nd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Sister Slew (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Tom Dooley (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, no impression in 8th 1f out, eased final 100 yards, 10th of 12, 10l behind Nini Ok (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Share A Secret 20-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along in rear entering straight, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 11th of 12, 11l behind Nini Ok (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Elusive Leona (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 6th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Twistsandturns (9-10) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Gold Tantrum (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, 11th halfway, progress straight and ridden in 5th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Sister Slew (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol.
Roter Baron (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, progress straight and ridden to go 6th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Nini Ok (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Mystical Past (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Prominent early, chased leader, dropped to 4th before halfway, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, no extra, last of 5, 16l behind Crafted Mastery (9-0) at Gowran Park 7f fll mdn stks gd in Sep.
Hazel Blue (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden over 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 6l behind War Room (8-12) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Oct.
Norah Starr (IRE) 3-1fav (7-13) Dwelt and held up, ridden over 2f out, 5th 2f out, kept on one paced, 6th of 7, 10l behind Livia Galilei (8-5) at Sligo 1m 4f fll hcp in Aug '12.
Fairy Court (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead 5f out, headed entering straight, soon no extra, weakened, eased, 12th of 14, 40l behind Havelock Ellis (11-5) at Dundalk 2m amt hcp 47-75 pol.
