chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 1 1/2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong to assert closing stages
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden in 8th and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
led and disputed, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace into 3rd inside final furlong
led and disputed, ridden in 2nd 2f out, kept on, no extra 1f out
chased leaders early, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway into moderate 6th 2f out, ridden and no impression, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, soon no extra and weakened
Half-a-dozen of these have the form to win a race of this nature but it's another, MIRAAJ, who is handed the vote. He started favourite when making his debut for Richard Hannon at Newmarket in October and though finishing mid-division showed enough to suggest he can win races. Elleval was touched off by the narrowest of margins by Won Diamond over a mile last week and the shorter trip won't be a problem while Rapid Approach has been narrowly beaten over 6f and a mile so today's trip could prove ideal. Toccata Blue stayed on well behind Victor's Beach in a C&D handicap a fortnight ago and Elusive Ice was caught on the post by Queen Of The Sand when making her debut last month with Senyuman not far behind.
Elleval (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Soon tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 2f out, challenged in 2nd from over 1f out, soon every chance, stayed on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Won Diamond (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol.
Elusive Heir (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, soon detached, tailed off, soon pulled up, in a race won by Ginger Goose (9-3) at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Jul, 7 ran.
In Our Blood (IRE) Oratorio colt out of Ruff Shod.
Miraaj (IRE) 5-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 7th of 17, 8l behind Goodwood Mirage (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Mouth Piece 12-1 (9-3) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, shaken up over 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 12, 11l behind Ajmany (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Rapid Approach (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Prominent, led under 2f out, soon ridden and strongly pressed, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Your Pal Tal (9-5) at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol.
Regal Concorde (IRE) Lawman gelding out of Fernanda.
Toccata Blue (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Victor's Beach (8-8) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol.
Tylery Wonder (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed under 2f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Your Pal Tal (9-5) at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol.
Manzanita (IRE) Barathea filly out of Somerset Falls.
Senyuman (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Soon mid-division, ridden to chase leaders and no impression 1f out, kept on, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Queen Of The Sand (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll auc stks pol in Nov.
Woodsophiesmile (IRE) Acclamation filly out of Woodyousmileforme.
Shock Jock (IRE) Holy Roman Emperor colt out of Kat Act Two.
Connacht Council (IRE) Haatef gelding out of Asfurah's Dream.
Elusive Ice (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Soon mid-division, chased leaders approaching straight, got in the clear over 1f out and soon challenged in 2nd, every chance inside final furlong and got to the front well inside last, not match winner near line, 2nd of 14, hd behind Queen Of The Sand (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll auc stks pol in Nov.
Global Icon 9-4 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken when edged right and lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Homage (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Sharjah (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Altruism (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
