led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra
chased leader in 2nd, ridden to dispute 2f out, no extra in 2nd 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
held up in 4th early, last halfway, ridden under 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in last early, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, soon led, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out
chased leaders in 3rd, close up 2f out, ridden to challenge in 2nd 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, no extra and kept on same pace
Denny Crane won this a year ago but he's 6lb higher and has finished behind the in-form pair Maggie Neary and ELIZABETH COFFEE recently. The former had to cope with a 9lb rise for her first victory last month but made enough progress to complete a double though another 3lb won't help and she finished behind Elizabeth Coffee earlier and Michael Halford's filly is improving fast enough to compete a hat-trick. Salam Alaykum attracted good support in a maiden over the C&D last week and his victory suggests he could be well in on his handicap debut and Swampfire will appreciate dropping back into this grade after running in much better company.
Swampfire (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, 13th of 16, 13l behind Tobar Na Gaoise (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp sft in Nov.
Bravely Fought (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Denny Crane 6-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Solo Performer (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 14, 9l behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Elizabeth Coffee (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, went 3rd entering straight, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, held on, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Denny Crane (9-10) by hd, 10 ran.
Maggie Neary (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, under pressure in close 3rd 1f out, kept on to lead close home, all out, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol beating Ultra Cool (8-11) by hd, 14 ran.
Trans City (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, headway into 5th 4f out, ridden and weakened entering straight, 13th of 14, 13l behind Maggie Neary (8-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Salam Alaykum (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, driven along 2f out, kept on well under pressure to lead final 100 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stks pol beating Aragorn Rouge (9-5) by 1l, 13 ran.
