chased leaders, keen hold early, 5th halfway, challenged between horses under 2f out, ridden to dispute 1 1/2f out, narrow lead under 1f out, kept on well closing stages
towards rear, checked after 1f, ridden after 2f, weakened over 3f out, pulled up under 2f out
held up early, ran freely and chased leaders after 2f, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, progress entering straight, ridden to challenge on inner 2f out, no extra 1f out, weakened final furlong
led early, headed after 1f and chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon disputed, narrowly headed under 1f out, kept on same pace
soon disputed, led after 1f, ridden and pressed 2f out, soon joined, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, keen hold early, ridden on outer 2f out, soon no impression, kept on one pace
towards rear, closer behind leaders 2f out, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
Shaky Operator appeared to find a mile just beyond him on his handicap debut at the Curragh last month and this looks his trip. Marsa made her nursery bow in what looked a strong event at Leopardstown and had performed well earlier on this track. Marm had been staying on over 7f so it was a surprise when she weakened when tackling the course and distance last week and was passed by HOLY DIVINE. The latter couldn't quite get to the odds-on winner but that was easily her best run to date and she can go one better.
Marsa (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, some headway on outer early straight, 4th and pushed along 1 1/2f out, no impression inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Nectaris (9-7) at Leopardstown 7f hcp fll gd in Oct.
Shaky Operator (USA) 5-1 (8-13) Raced in 6th early, pushed along in 4th 3f out, led over 2f out and edged right, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Sir Allen (8-6) at Curragh 1m hcp sft in Oct.
Holy Divine (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, 7th 1f out, headway into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on well close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Chaos Control (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Mymacushla (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, in rear and soon switched left to race on inner, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace without threatening, never a factor, 8th of 10, 7l behind Sangria (9-9) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Princess Rajj (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2f out, weakened, 10th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Mister Wilson (9-8) at Gowran Park 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Clarinbridge (IRE) 150-1 (9-2) Waited with in rear of mid-division, 8th 3f out, ridden and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Crystal City (9-7) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Chattahoochee (IRE) 125-1 (9-7) Disputed lead, headed after 2f, pushed along in 5th 3f out, soon ridden and no extra, 10th of 14, 12l behind Crystal City (9-7) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Marm (IRE) 17-2 (8-11) Mid-division on outer, ridden and headway into 4th 2f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Chaos Control (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Beau Amir (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Disputed lead, raced keenly, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Sangria (9-9) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
The Smull (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway and soon pushed along, 6th and ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Benevolent (9-1) at Navan 6f hcp gd in Aug.
