chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
soon mid-division, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no extra
slowly into stride, towards rear, late headway into 8th 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed close home
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra and weakened
rear of mid-division, headway under 2f out, ridden into 6th 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge in 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong, led close home
rear of mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression in 9th 1f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, always towards rear, eased over 1f out
held up towards rear, late headway into 7th 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear for most, never a factor
Several of these enter the fray in superb shape, none more so than Ashton Rose, who stepped down to 7f after her two earlier successes over the C&D to complete her hat-trick. She's up another 7lb here but it will be a surprise if she's not involved in the finish again. Curl Cat always runs well here and is well handicapped on his best form. His last two victories were gained in moderate company but he's another who looks certain to give a good account. No Trimmings, who beat him 5l here in August, is badly in at the weights but always capable of a big run when in the mood. SWEET RHYTHM hasn't had much experience but is definitely on the upgrade and makes her handicap debut on a lowly mark. She scored over 6f here last time but an earlier C&D run suggests she won't have a problem with the extra and gets the nod.
Billyford (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, no impression in 10th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 3l behind Gordon Lord Byron (8-7) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Massabini (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Led, strongly pressed and joined entering straight, headed 2f out, soon no chance with winner, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 8l behind Giant Step (9-0) at Cork 1m 3yo mdn gd in Apr.
No Trimmings (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 8l behind If Per Chance (9-11) at Dundalk 1m Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Romeo's On Fire (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 11l behind If Per Chance (9-11) at Dundalk 1m Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Ashton Rose (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Prominent and disputed, close 2nd halfway, improved to narrow lead 2f out, ridden and kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, won at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov beating Trotting Weasel (9-1) by nk, 14 ran.
Liberty's Gift (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no extra entering straight, 10th of 13, 11l behind If Per Chance (9-11) at Dundalk 1m Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Aragorn Icon (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Smoky Cloud (10-8) at Laytown 6f hcp 50-70 in Sep.
Black N Brew (USA) 50-1 (9-10) Tracked leader on inner in 2nd, ridden early straight, no extra under 2f out, weakened, 11th of 14, 5l behind Key Breeze (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Fountain Of Honour (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 9th halfway, some headway into 5th over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong without troubling leaders, 4th of 14, 6l behind Maggie Neary (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn stks pol in Nov.
Opening Nite (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 25th of 26, 47l behind Minsk (11-4) at Curragh 1m 4f gnt amt hcp 0-85 sft in Sep.
Curl Cat (USA) 7-4fav (11-11) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong, all out close home, won at Laytown 7f amt stk in Sep beating An Saighdiur (11-9) by shd, 8 ran.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Soon well off pace in mid-division, moderate 9th approaching halfway, some progress before straight, no impression from under 2f out, 10th of 13, 16l behind Ultra Cool (9-4) at Tipperary 1m 1f hcp 60-90 gd in Aug.
Sweet Rhythm (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway early straight, good progress to lead 1f out, kept on and driven out to hold on close home, won at Dundalk 6f app flls mdn stks pol in Sep beating Dazzle Them (8-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Notgonnagiveup (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Towards rear, 9th before straight, no impression when hampered 1 1/2f out, eased after, tailed off, 7th of 10, 40l behind Maundy Money (8-9) at Tipperary 7f hcp 60-100 hvy in Oct.
Saint By Day (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, never a factor, kept on one pace in straight, 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Key Breeze (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Macnas (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Elusive Ridge (9-13) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 60-90 gf in Jul.
Music Festival (USA) 13-2 (8-12) In rear, driven 3f out, stayed on into mid-division inside final furlong, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 11l behind Beckermet (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
