chased leader on far side, edged right to join main group before halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon asserted and kept on well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt and always towards rear, driven along 2f out and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace
led far side and showed good speed, edged right to join main group before halfway, headed well over 1f out and soon weakened, eased when beaten inside final furlong
settled towards rear, 6th 2f out, ridden and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong but no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, no extra from 1f out and soon weakened
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression on winner 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and dropped to 6th closing stages
chased leaders, ridden in 8th halfway and no impression over 1f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway and soon ridden along, went 2nd early final furlong and kept on same pace under pressure, no chance with winner
Velvet Flicker won this as a three-year-old in 2010 but it generally goes to an older sprinter. David O'Meara sends Doc Hay over from the UK and his form fits the bill though he may find the ground a bit on the sticky side. MAAREK had a brilliant 2012, winning five times including the Group 2 Champions Sprint at Ascot for which he is penalised. He doesn't appear to take too much getting ready and gets the nod though Leitir Mor is likely to provide a big test, even if he's certain to find this on the short side. Jim Bolger's colt took an age to lose his maiden tag but ended his first campaign with a tremendous run behind stablemate Dawn Approach in the Dewhurst. Cape Of Approval has the benefit of an outing having just failed to hold Bold Thady Quill over 6f at the Curragh while My Girl Anna wasn't far behind Maarek here a year ago and continued to perform with credit throughout the campaign.
Maarek (9-2) 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Myasun (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 6f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Nov.
Doc Hay (USA) 16-1 (9-6) Raced freely in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 19, 12l behind Eton Rifles (9-3) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Nov.
Cape Of Approval (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, headway in 3rd 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and challenged 1f out, headed final 100 yards and kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Bold Thady Quill (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) hvy in Mar.
Nero Emperor (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra, 8th of 14, 3l behind Balmont Mast (9-11) at Dundalk 5f lst stks 2yo (1) pol in Oct.
Red Dubawi (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression leaders inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Bold Thady Quill (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) hvy in Mar.
My Girl Anna (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 9, 4l behind Doc Hay (8-12) at Ascot 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Oct.
Leitir Mor (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Soon led and set strong pace, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Dawn Approach (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Scream Blue Murder (IRE) 11-10fav (9-0) Made all, challenged briefly 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Bellewstown 5f 2yo mdn hvy in Jul beating Desert Of Dreams (9-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
