waited with, 8th from 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, keen hold, 4th 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
keen hold, chased leaders, challenged and on terms 1f out, headed and kept on same pace closing stages
soon settled towards rear, went 6th and headway from 2f out, challenged down the outer 1f out, stayed on well to lead closing stages
soon in rear, progress on outer 3f out, no impression in 7th and kept on from 1f out
waited with towards rear, closed into 5th and no room 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon tracked leaders, challenged and on terms 1f out, headed and kept on same pace closing stages
soon led, strongly pressed and joined 1f out, headed and dropped to 4th inside final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, 5th from 2f out, dropped towards rear and no extra 1f out
AURIFODINA showed a bit of potential on his final start last season and that was enough for him to start favourite on his reappearance at Cork. He wasn't over impressive when beating Amazing Star and is 5lb higher but there looks more to come and he can complete a quick double. Only Exception didn't run as a two-year-old and hadn't shown much in her first campaign but looked much more promising at Gowran earlier this month and is on a nice mark. The consistent Firethorn has his first run in a handicap but his overall form puts him in the picture while Lord Jim has been given a cracking chance by the assessor despite consistent form last season and looks the main danger.
Firethorn (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd early straight, ridden and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Mona Brown (9-0) at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol in Nov.
Lord Jim (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, kept on one paced, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Brinestine (9-13) at Curragh 1m 1f 3yo hcp hvy in Oct.
Aurifodina (IRE) 3-1fav (9-9) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway to challenge in 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed closing stages and all out, won at Cork 1m app hcp 50-70 sft in Mar beating Amazing Star (9-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Stronger Than Me (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, headway in 4th 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well close home, won at Dundalk 1m app hcp 47-65 pol in Oct beating Whitethorne Scent (9-8) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Celtic Dane (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Rear of mid-division, ridden entering straight, 7th 2f out, kept on without threatening, 5th of 12, 17l behind Sir Ector (9-12) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gs in Aug.
Benalex Park 11-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden in 9th and wide 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 11l behind To The Sky (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f app hcp 50-70 in Sep.
Smoke Charger (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and dropped to 6th over 1f out, rallied under pressure to go 4th well inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Maude Adams (9-4) at Curragh 1m hcp 50-80.
Only Exception (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Soon tracked leaders, 4th over 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Killena Boy (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 47-65 gd.
Ring Them Bells 8-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden entering straight, 10th 2f out, no impression, 13th of 16, 16l behind On The Loose (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 47-65 sft in Apr '12.
