held up, 7th on outer 3f out, soon ridden, went moderate 2nd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace without threatening easy winner
chased leaders, 6th over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression straight
chased leaders in 4th, 4th 3f out, soon ridden, no extra straight
chased leaders, 3rd 3f out, soon pushed along, led under 2f out, soon clear, stayed on well final furlong, eased close home, easily
held up, ridden from 3f out, moderate 6th 1f out, kept on one paced to go moderate 4th close home
prominent, disputed lead halfway, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed under 2f out, no extra
saddle slipped soon after straight, soon trailing, pulled up entering straight
towards rear, some modest late headway straight
mid-division, closer in 5th 3f out, soon ridden, went 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace in moderate 3rd final furlong
led, joined halfway, headed and weakened from 3f out, tailed off and eased final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and no impression from 3f out
mid-division, weakened from 4f out, tailed off and eased straight
There is no denying the chances of the two penalised runners here with GHETTO GOSPEL getting the vote over The Lock Master. Ger Lyons' improving son of Celtic Swing loves the fast ground as he showed when completing a Navan double on Sunday and he's well in off tonight's mark compared to future handicaps. The Lock Master tackles this trip for the first time after beating Historic Occasion a short-head over a mile at Dundalk last Friday but battled on well and may be suited by the extra. Astrakham has a pedigree that suggests she will do better in her second season and showed plenty of promise last term but Swordmaster is yet to race beyond 7f and this is unknown territory. Speed Steed qualified for handicaps after three decent efforts in his first campaign and though returning from a long lay-off is one to note for the future.
The Lock Master (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear early, progress on outer halfway, 5th approaching straight, 3rd and challenged 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, all out, won at Dundalk 1m 3yo hcp 50-80 pol beating Historic Occasion (8-13) by shd, 10 ran.
Speed Steed (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, 10th halfway, headway in 7th 3f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 4 1/2l behind White Front (9-3) at Navan 1m 2yo mdn aut sft in Oct.
Astrakham (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th 3f out, 4th and driven along 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 14, 4l behind New Magic (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn fll stks pol in Nov.
Ghetto Gospel (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Led, headed after 2f, improved to lead again 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m 2f 3yo hcp 47-70 gf beating East Of Tara (7-13) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Humor Me Rene (USA) 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, no extra from 2f out, 13th of 14, 14l behind Central Moves (9-7) at Dundalk 6f 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in Mar.
Swordmaster 14-1 (9-4) Disputed lead, ridden and headed early straight, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 3l behind Non Tiscordardime (8-10) at Gowran Park 7f 3yo hcp 47-65 gd in Apr.
Indian St Jovite (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, 6th approaching straight, kept on same pace from 2f out, 7th of 14, 8l behind Willyconker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp 50-70 std in Nov.
City Line (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 15, 39l behind Aegean Destiny (8-7) at Leicester 7f 2yo sll (6) gf in Sep.
Timjoe (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Slightly hampered start, towards rear early, progress entering straight, 5th under 1f out, kept on, 4th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Non Tiscordardime (8-10) at Gowran Park 7f 3yo hcp 47-65 gd in Apr.
Little Miss Muppet (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 10th of 13, 14l behind Brushed Aside (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn fll pol in Mar.
Pax A Punch (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Towards rear early, 9th halfway, headway in 7th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 12, 12l behind Ghetto Gospel (9-2) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo hcp 47-70 gf.
Western Night 66-1 (9-5) Always behind, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Miss Coco (9-0) at Wexford 1m 4f 3yo mdn gd.