held up in rear, moderate 8th into straight, 4th and headway 1 1/2f out, 2nd and challenged well inside final furlong, ran on well to lead near finish
stumbled leaving stalls, held up towards rear, headway 3f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace
held up early, progress into moderate 6th halfway, 4th and ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace
attempted to make all, ridden clear entering straight, strongly pressed well inside final furlong, headed near finish
chased leaders, moderate 4th under pressure halfway, weakened straight, eased over 1f out
chased leaders in moderate 5th, no extra straight
chased leaders in moderate 3rd, no impression straight, weakened from 1 1/2f out
close up in 2nd, ridden and outpaced entering straight, weakened from 1 1/2f out
always towards rear, weakened from 3f out, trailing straight
The top three in this handicap are all in superb form and it's difficult to see beyond them for the winner. Banna Boirche was gaining his fifth success on the track when defying trouble in-running to beat Dahindar over 7f last month. The runner-up had previously completed a double over this trip but Michael Halford's charge can confirm the form as he would have won more easily with a clear run. BOYNAGH JOY is one of Ireland's most improved performers as she showed with a superb effort to land a Listed contest over the C&D last time. She came with a rattling late run to snatch the spoils and can do so again. Anam Chara, who wasn't too far behind in that event, should get even closer on 7lb better terms and looks a fair each-way bet.
Banna Boirche (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on inner early straight, travelling best when not clear run over 1f out, burst through to lead under 1f out, ran on well, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov beating Dahindar (9-9) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Boynagh Joy (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, 13th 3f out, headway early straight, switched to outer 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out, soon led, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m flls lst stks (1) pol in Nov beating Barring Decree (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Dahindar (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Mid-division, 7th approaching straight, checked briefly under 2f out, close 5th and challenged entering final furlong, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Banna Boirche (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Anam Chara (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 9, 8l behind Home Secretary (8-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Toufan Express 22-1 (8-11) Towards rear, kept on under pressure from 1 1/2f out, 6th of 14, 3l behind Banna Boirche (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Riobamba (USA) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders in 5th, progress into moderate 3rd entering straight, weakened from under 2f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Elusive Ridge (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
High Importance (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 8l behind Licence To Till (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Oct.
Knights Templar (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Led, strongly pressed straight, headed 1f out, no extra, 5th of 14, 4l behind Arcadian Dream (10-0) at Dundalk 7f Apprentice Handicap (60-85) (3yo+) pol.
Pirans Rock (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden and weakened entering straight, 11th of 14, 24l behind Elusive Ridge (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
Toraidhe (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened 3f out, eased over 1f out, last of 20, 25l behind Barack (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m hcap sft in Oct.
