always towards rear, never a factor
disputed lead, headed early straight, no extra from 1f out, weakened
slowly into stride and towards rear, 7th on outer entering straight, 5th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong without troubling first 2
chased leaders, 5th halfway, no threat in straight and kept on one pace
chased leaders, 6th halfway, no extra from 1 1/2f out
tracked leaders in 3rd, driven along 2f out and went 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no real impression on winner
always towards rear, took keen hold early, no threat from 2f out
broke well and disputed lead, raced keenly, led early straight and asserted 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders on inner, failed to settle, 4th halfway, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
Aloof, by Galileo out of the brilliant Airwave, is one of the best-bred fillies in training and could do with a victory for her paddock value. She's steadily improving and looked as though another furlong would help when runner-up to Wading over 7f here in September. However, SHUKHOV has to be the form pick on his close second to subsequent winner Backbench Blues here in September and found the company too hot and the 6f trip too short when well behind the very promising Nephrite at the Curragh. Merkel has a nice pedigree for this trip and will have come on for her run behind Stunned Silence here while newcomer Khyber Pass is related to a couple of winning sprinters.
Engage The Dance (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Always behind, 15th of 19, 23l behind Thomasgainsborough (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m mdn stks in Oct.
Ferryview Place 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, rear of mid-division, some headway early straight, 7th 1f out but soon no impression, 8th of 14, 11l behind Rogue Element (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct.
Khyber Pass Three Valleys colt out of My Golly.
Loopdeloo (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 16th of 18, 33l behind Takar (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn sft.
Oak (IRE) Cape Cross colt out of Beguine.
Shukhov (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, 5th halfway, no extra from 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 24, 23l behind Nephrite (9-1) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn sft in Sep.
Three Bells (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, no extra from 2f out, weakened, 13th of 14, 17l behind Rogue Element (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct.
Aloof (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders racing keenly, 4th halfway, 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace into 2nd final furlong but no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Wading (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll pol in Sep.
Merkel (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, 7th 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 7l behind Stunned Silence (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll pol in Oct.
