tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to challenge early straight and ridden to dispute over 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed and no extra closing stages
held up in rear of mid-division, short of room in 9th over 1f out, kept on one pace
led or disputed lead, advantage approaching straight, strongly pressed early straight and joined over 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed closing stages
mid-division, bit short of room in 7th over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along early straight and no impression from over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders in 4th, 5th early straight, travelling best but short of room from well over 1f out, kept on without finding a gap, unlucky
chased leaders in 7th, ridden early straight and 6th 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
always towards rear, never a factor
prominent and disputed lead, headed approaching straight, ridden 2f out and dropped to 4th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, no threat from early straight, weakened
mid-division, 6th approaching straight, headway early straight and tried to challenge in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
always towards rear, kept on one pace in straight
The toughest race of the night with many of the entries in fine shape including Miss Forde, who makes her handicap debut. She had plenty of decent form before landing a maiden here at the end of November and looks well enough treated. Shake The Bucket can always be relied on to do his best and looks certain to go well along with Denny Crane. The pair finished 1-2 here three weeks ago and there is very little between them at the revised weights but the one to take from that race is SALAM ALAYKUM, who can land this for John Egan. He's already had two trainers and was making his debut for the yard when staying on into fourth that night. He's won here and at Leopardstown in the past and is probably better than an 82-rated handicapper. Recent winners Benbecula and Gretzky have to be respected at the bottom of the weights in an open event.
Shake The Bucket (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong without reaching winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Akasaka (10-3) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol.
Denny Crane 7-1 (9-6) Waited with, 6th approaching straight, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong without quite getting there, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Shake The Bucket (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Salam Alaykum (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) In rear, wide and effort from 2f out, no impression under pressure and kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Shake The Bucket (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Discovery Bay 7-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 10th 1f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 5l behind Aladdins Cave (10-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Fleur De Nuit (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Prominent, keen hold, led approaching straight, headed and no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 9l behind Much Acclaimed (9-3) at Curragh 1m 6f hcp sft in Sep '11.
Miss Forde (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Raced mainly in 3rd until improved travelling well to lead from 2f out, raced a bit idly but clear 1f out, stayed on well under pressure, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in Nov beating Zip Wire (9-5) by 5l, 13 ran.
Prince Of Fashion (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Shake The Bucket (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Home Secretary 16-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride and in rear, no impression from 4f out, 7th of 11, 14l behind Ansgar (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Benbecula 5-2 (9-5) Always prominent, in front over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol beating Lions Charge (9-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Gretzky 20-1 (10-13) Towards rear, 11th entering straight, progress 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (50-75) (4yo+) pol beating Regal Warrior (11-1) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Wild China (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Khelino (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Silverlord (FR) 14-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching straight, struggling from 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Shake The Bucket (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.
Cottesloe (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In rear, bumped and hampered on outer over 2f out, kept on without threatening from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Gretzky (10-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (50-75) (4yo+) pol.
