mid-division, weakened from 4f out
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden entering straight, dropped to 3rd 2f out, weakened final furlong
made all, soon well clear, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed and reduced advantage final furlong, all out at line
mid-division, ridden in moderate 5th entering straight, no impression on leaders from 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened from 4f out, eased from 2f out
tracked leaders, moderate 3rd entering straight, soon ridden, went moderate 2nd 2f out, closed on leader 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to strongly press winner, just failed
chased leaders, ridden in 4th entering straight, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, some progress 4f out, ridden in 7th entering straight, went moderate 5th inside final furlong
in rear, no impression from 4f out
mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, no extra from 2f out
slowly into stride and in rear, no impression from 4f out
The handicapper has taken no chances with Ansgar raising him 9lb for a cosy win over C and D in October. He should still be thereabouts though along with Solo Performer, who had Cul Baire a length behind when third here last time. Denny Crane has something to find with both of the above on recent running and C and D winner Akasaka looks stuck on his present mark. Home Secretary won this in 2010 and scored over C and D again when last seen at the track nearly a year ago while Red Calima is interesting back on the Flat for the first time since winning at Leopardstown last year. HOT PROSPECT has also been hurdling since leaving Roger Varian but a chance is taken he can reproduce his smart past form off an 11lb lower mark than when last seen on the level.
Hot Prospect 12-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Declaration Of War (9-2) at Curragh 1m 2f stks in Sep.
Elusive Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Captain Joy (8-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Ansgar (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Oct beating Paddy The Celeb (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Solo Performer (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division, rapid headway to lead after 4f, stretched clear approaching straight, reduced advantage 1 1/2f out and strongly pressed final furlong, headed inside final 100 yards, no extra, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Aladdins Cave (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Clare Glen (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden and weakened from over 3f out, eased final furlong, 15th of 18, well behind Face Value (8-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Akasaka (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Led, headed halfway, ridden to regain lead under 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed 1f out, no extra, 5th of 14, 4l behind Certerach (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Cul Baire (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Rear of mid-division, 9th halfway, chased leader in 6th early straight, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Aladdins Cave (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Denny Crane 11-2 (9-6) Mid-division on inner, 7th halfway, headway early straight and ridden to go 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Aladdins Cave (9-1) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Red Calima (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden entering straight, headway under pressure to challenge between horses 1f out, soon led, driven out to hold on, won at Leopardstown 1m 4f mdn stks gf in Jul '11 beating Benefit Of Porter (9-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Captain Cullen (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Waited with towards rear, ridden and some headway from 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 4l behind Captain Joy (8-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Home Secretary 8-1 (10-0) Mid-division, moderate 6th halfway, closer early straight and headway to go 2nd over 1f out, kept on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f Handicap (60-75) (3yo+) pol in Dec '11 beating Confidence (9-3) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
