chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra and kept on one pace
slowly into stride, always towards rear
rear of mid-division, ridden and no extra entering straight
slowly into stride, soon rear of mid-division, ridden in 9th and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra and weakened 1 1/2f out
slowly into stride, soon rear of mid-division, ridden in moderate 8th 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight
reluctant to race and soon towards rear, some late headway into moderate 9th 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong to 2nd close home
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, always towards rear
Eddie Lynam won the first running of this in 2009 and OPA LOCA has comfortably the best form of those with experience. His close second to Sharestan at the Curragh in June could hardly have been better advertised than on Sunday when the winner landed the Irish Lincolnshire so he should be up to making a successful reappearance. Sharalam, who had shown promise on his debut on this track earlier, stayed on nicely to finish a couple of lengths behind the selection and with normal progress through the winter looks a big threat. Sli Na Fiarana has the advantage of track experience and there was plenty to like about her close third to Gaiety Theatre here in December while Sparkling View started favourite on her belated debut last April and must be well thought of. Jim Bolger's newcomer Confident Cub is one to note in the betting.
Captain May (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 6th of 13, 17l behind Rodriguez (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol.
Caucestown Lad (IRE) Captain Rio gelding out of Belmont Princess.
Confident Cub (IRE) Bachelor Duke gelding out of Ovazione.
Danehill Promise (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Soon mid-division, no impression from 2f out, 18th of 30, 12l behind Redoutable (9-0) at Curragh 6f mdn stks.
Fancy Socks (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 3f out, no extra in 7th 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 8l behind Nantucket Bay (9-2) at Navan 1m 5f 3yo mdn gf in May.
Fog Cutter (IRE) 28-1 (9-3) Prominent, led over 7f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Trumpington Street (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jul.
Raggletagglegypsy (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Outpaced in rear early, moderate 7th 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 7l behind Pivotal Rock (10-3) at Laytown 7f mdn stks in Sep.
Sharalam (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden into 9th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 22, 4l behind Sharestan (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn stks in Jun.
Celtic Charm (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Always behind, 12th of 13, 31l behind Rodriguez (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol.
Definitely Best (IRE) King's Best filly out of Valentina Guest.
Opa Loca 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 22, 1 3/4l behind Sharestan (9-5) at Curragh 1m mdn stks in Jun.
Sli Na Fiarana 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Gaiety Theatre (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol in Dec.
Sparkling View (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Settled in mid-division, some early straight, driven along in 5th under 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 16, 9l behind Sapphire Pendant (9-0) at Cork 1m 3yo fll mdn gd in Apr.
Whynotgiveup (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden and no impression from 6f out, 5th of 9, 28l behind Shotavodka (12-0) at Tramore 2m N H flat in Oct.
