tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 3rd approaching straight, no impression under pressure and dropped to 5th 1f out
mid-division, dropped to rear after halfway and driven along 4f out
tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, went 2nd approaching straight and led 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out
towards rear, some headway approaching straight, 7th over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden approaching straight and headed 2f out, 4th under pressure 1f out, no extra
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden to go 5th under 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, headway approaching straight, 8th on outer 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner
towards rear, some headway 4f out, no impression from over 2f out
tracked leaders, 7th on inner halfway, ridden in 6th early straight, no extra from over 1f out, eased when beaten closing stages
tracked leaders on outer, went 2nd before halfway, ridden and dropped to 5th approaching straight, no extra from over 2f out
mid-division, 9th halfway, no extra approaching straight
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden along in 4th approaching straight, 3rd under pressure 1f out, kept on same pace
rear of mid-division on inner, never a factor
always towards rear, never a factor
Eoin Doyle looks to hold the key to this with Beliar and GRAND CRU and it's the latter, who won this a year ago from just 3lb lower, who gets the vote. He hasn't been in the best of form but this trip and track clearly suits and he holds Ionisphere on last year's run. Liberty Love was sent to Wolverhampton to land a minor handicap over this trip but a 6lb rise may scupper his chance of a follow-up and Star Of Aragon looks a much bigger threat. A winner over hurdles at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting on his latest start, he was also successful at Galway and Cheltenham last year and looks sure to go well though Galway looks on the agenda again and he may just need the run.
Buille Cliste (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 13, 12l behind Alhellal (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 50-80 pol.
Beliar (GER) 11-2 (9-12) In touch towards rear, closed to track leaders 2f out, challenged under pressure and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Tramore 1m 4f clm stks gf in Aug beating Quai Du Roi (9-10) by nk, 8 ran.
Star Of Aragon (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Rear of mid-division early, headway into 6th halfway, 8th 4f out, ridden in 7th 3f out, 9th 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 6l behind Mutasareb (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Grand Cru 20-1 (9-8) Chased leaders early, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, 12th of 14, 19l behind Imprudent Miss (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Ionisphere 10-1 (8-11) Waited with towards rear, closed to track leaders from 4f out, 2nd into straight, challenged and disputed lead from 2f out, soon led and clear over 1f out, kept on final furlong, just held on, won at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-65 sft beating Enter The Indian (8-12) by shd, 12 ran.
Brian The Warrior (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 13l behind Sli Na Fiarana (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol.
Darraghs Day (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway into 6th 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Word For Word (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Liberty Love (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Slow into stride in rear, hampered by weakening horse over 3f out, headway and edged left 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr beating Needwood Park (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Moonlight Sapphire 15-2 (9-11) Prominent, 3rd halfway, weakened approaching straight, 7th of 18, 20l behind Nans Best (9-7) at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-60 gd in May '10.
Catch Light 8-1 (8-2) Waited with towards rear, keen hold, went moderate 4th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure from 2f out, 4th of 11, 9l behind One Cool Shabra (8-8) at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-65 sft.
Dalkeith 33-1 (12-0) last of 13, well behind Wins Now (12-6) at Naas 2m stks hvy in Oct.
Lios Tulcha (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 37l behind Penthesilea Eile (8-13) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 50-80 in Aug '09.
Not My Idea (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Prominent and wide on bend early, lost place and ridden from 4f out, soon no extra, 10th of 12, 35l behind King's Road (9-2) at Killarney 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 gd in Jul.
Ridayef (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, last of 17, well behind Hidden Universe (9-7) at Navan 2m mdn stks sft in Oct.
Rosie Daily (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Reared up leaving stalls, soon mid-division, 5th over 3f out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 20l behind Hadrian's Waltz (9-0) at Wexford 1m 3yo fll stks gd in Jul.
Gan Locht (USA) 14-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, 6th approaching straight, soon no extra, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind One Cool Shabra (8-8) at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-65 sft.
Prince Of Dubai (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into close 3rd 2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 14, 12l behind Flavia Tatiana (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-70 pol in Oct.
Hurricane Season 14-1 (8-7) Waited with towards rear, kept on same pace from over 4f out, eased final furlong, 8th of 11, 39l behind One Cool Shabra (8-8) at Clonmel 2m hcp 47-65 sft.
Passion Planet (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 13, 17l behind Mosstown (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Mar.
