chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, some progress into 8th 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and joined over 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute over 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, drifted right 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages, eased close home, comfortably
held up towards rear, ridden towards outer 2f out, no impression in 9th under 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden behind leaders 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader, 2nd halfway, disputed over 2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ran freely early, 6th halfway, ridden behind leaders 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd closing stages, no impression on winner
mid-division, progress and close up behind leaders 2f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
slightly hampered leaving stalls, towards rear for most, ridden and no impression 2f out
This looks very competitive but with a good draw and his promising rider's claim a bonus, Koybig looks certain to make a bold bid for a four-timer though he's 7lb higher than his latest success. A Shin Impala is only 3lb higher than when successful here a year ago though he didn't do as well as expected over hurdles in the summer. Invincible Ryker is unbeaten in two starts here, both over 7f, though this looks a bit tougher though he just about holds Arbourfield on their 1-2 last month. SETTLE FOR BAY has really found his form and completed a double with the minimum of fuss last month. He's not the best drawn here but Donagh O'Connor is one of the more experienced young pilots and can steer his mount to a hat-trick. Gilded Reflection gained a shock victory on his first start for Boots Madden here in October and is another with a chance though he's also berthed on the wide outside.
A Shin Impala (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-4) Mid-division, 6th 4 out, ridden and no impression after next, 10th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Invincible Don (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m hcp gf in Jun.
Gilded Reflection 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct beating Miss Snossyboots (9-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Invincible Ryker (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden under 2f out, under pressure and kept on well to lead final 100 yards, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov beating Rivellino (9-1) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Settle For Bay (FR) 11-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov beating Honor Oak (9-2) by 2l, 14 ran.
Koybig (IRE) 9-10fav (10-5) Soon mid-division, 7th approaching halfway, headway to chase leaders straight, closed final furlong, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec beating Complicit (9-8) by 1l, 14 ran.
Rivellino 9-1 (8-5) Raced in 8th early, closed and effort straight, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Togoville (9-0) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Ocean Air (FR) 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear and detached approaching straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Invincible Ryker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Alcatraz (IRE) (9-1) 9th of 11, 23 1/4l behind Master Dan (9-1) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f stks sft in Sep.
Arbourfield (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and headway between horses to challenge over 1f out, led briefly 150 yards out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Invincible Ryker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Ishebayorgrey (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt slightly and towards rear, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Settle For Bay (9-0) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Settle For Bay (9-0) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
Meetyouatthemoon (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) Dwelt, soon mid-division, effort straight, one pace from over 1f out, 10th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Silk Cravat (9-11) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Poetic Choice 16-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, ridden entering straight and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Captain Cullen (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Red Avenger (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no extra under 2f out, 13th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Invincible Ryker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Mcguigan (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 18, 15l behind Warp Factor (9-12) at Navan 1m hcp sft in Oct.
Six Silver Lane 16-1 (9-10) Chased clear leader, 5th halfway, ridden and some headway over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Captain Cullen (10-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Chunkyfunkymonkey 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 7, 10 1/4l behind Conistone (8-2) at Lingfield 1m 1f stks (6) gs in Aug.
