mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to track leaders 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, just failed
slowly into stride, reminders early, always behind, eased from over 1f out, tailed off
prominent, 3rd 2f out, no extra and kept on same pace from 1f out
prominent, 2nd 1f out, soon no impression under pressure and kept on same pace
close up, in front 2f out, headed and no extra from over 1f out
mid-division, progress from over 3f out, 5th from 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, all out
soon led, headed 2f out, soon no extra
mid-division, closed to chase leaders approaching straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out
towards rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out
chased leaders, 6th early, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out
chased leaders, 7th early, no extra under pressure from 2f out
towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from 3f out
slowly into stride, mid-division best, no extra under pressure from 2f out
towards rear, kept on without threatening under pressure from 2f out
rear of mid-division, ridden into 8th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong without getting to 1st 2
soon mid-division, ridden into 7th 1f out, soon no impression and kept on
mid-division, weakened from 2f out, eased final furlong
mid-division, no impression under pressure from 2f out
Nucals Star deserves his place at the head of the handicap after three fine efforts in maidens but this looks the usual tough nursery and there are plenty with chances. Hanginthebalance landed a 7f Gowran nursery before failing to cope with a 4lbs rise at Dundalk where he was almost three lengths behind FINAL RECOVERY. Ger Lyons' charge had shown plenty of promise in maidens before his success where he was well supported and gave every indication there was more to come. He can complete a quick double from 6lbs higher though Jambalaya should prove a worthy opponent. David Wachman's filly looked the likely winner when leading inside the final furlong at the Curragh last time but was run out of it close home and may be ridden with a little more restraint this time.
Nucals Star (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, on terms and every chance under pressure over 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Hurricane Havoc (8-12) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn in Sep.
Outrider (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden approaching straight, no impression from 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 4l behind Factum (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo stks pol in Sep.
Final Recovery 11-4fav (8-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge and led over 1f out, edged left, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp 60-90 pol beating Free Art (9-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Jambalaya (IRE) 11-2fav (9-7) Settled in mid-division, improved to challenge from 2f out, led briefly just inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra closing stages, 3rd of 23, 1l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Hanginthebalance 11-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders on outer mainly 3rd, driven along to challenge and hung from early straight, no impression under pressure from 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Final Recovery (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 2yo hcp 60-90 pol.
Il Boro (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 16, 16l behind Exodus (9-0) at Navan 1m mdn stks.
Mykonos (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 11l behind Hurricane Havoc (8-12) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn in Sep.
In Good Voice 9-1 (9-6) Mid-division, never a factor, towards rear from after halfway, 22nd of 23, 29l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Bad Cigar (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and no extra 3f out, 11th of 13, 23l behind Rich Tapestry (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol.
Brecan Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up, kept on same pace from 2f out, 7th of 14, 13l behind Gentleman Duke (9-3) at Sligo 6f 2yo mdn aut in Sep.
Cheers Buddy (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Held up, 9th halfway, kept on one pace straight, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Knock Stars (8-13) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp pol.
Crystal Belle (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, weakened early straight, 10th of 12, 16l behind Posh Cracker (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn fll pol.
Lady Holly (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, last of 7, 15l behind Hanginthebalance (8-4) at Gowran Park 7f 2yo hcp 50-90 gf in Aug.
Poltava (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Settled in mid-division on outer, 12th 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 23, 5l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Flavia Tatiana (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 5th under pressure entering straight, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 10l behind Tell The Wind (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll pol in Sep.
Thegondolier (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, hard ridden in 10th 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 23, 6l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Heir To The Mint (USA) 33-1 (7-11) In rear, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Knock Stars (8-13) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp pol.
Bendzoldan (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Never a factor, in rear from after halfway, 20th of 23, 17l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Suspect Device (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Mid-division best, 15th of 23, 13l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Watch The Birdie (IRE) 16-1 (8-0) Mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, went 5th 1f out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 23, 1l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
Dustland Fairytale (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, some progress after halfway, headway into 6th 1f out, kept on without threatening leaders, 5th of 23, 2 1/2l behind Port Elizabeth (8-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo hcp 50-75.
