mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden to challenge in 2nd over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, headway into 7th 5f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1 1/2f out, close 3rd 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home (weighed in light)
chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed from 1f out, kept on well, headed last strides
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, switched 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, late headway from 2f out, ridden into 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden into 6th 2f out, no extra over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, headway into 8th 2f out, ridden into 6th 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, headway in 9th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead last strides
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
always towards rear, pulled up halfway
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 3f out, soon no extra and weakened
rear of mid-division, ridden into 7th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
Probably the most difficult race of the evening though once again punters are likely to latch on to a Mark Johnston entry in Herostatus. A winner over 1m5f at Lingfield in October, he easily followed up over two miles here last month but a 10lb hike in the weights may just be enough to prevent a hat-trick. He has to concede 11lb plus Sam James' claim to the in-form REDERA and Tony Martin's charge can reverse recent form with Solo Performer at the revised weights and take this. Denny Crane, who wasn't far behind in that latter event, is very consistent and should reward each-way backers once again. Brian Ellison will have been heartened by the all-weather debut of Moyenne Corniche at Wolverhampton last month and doesn't send his horses on fool's errands.
Bravely Fought (IRE) 9-4 (9-7) Moderate 2nd, closer 3rd halfway, 2nd and ridden straight, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Elusive Ridge (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f 3yo stks pol.
Grand Admiral (USA) 14-1 (12-0) Always behind, trailing over 4f out, eased straight, tailed off, last of 24, well behind Admiral Barry (11-0) at Curragh 1m 6f am hcp in Sep.
Moyenne Corniche 12-1 (9-5) Led, pushed along and quickened 3f out, 2 lengths clear 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Tominator (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Dark Prospect 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd straight, 2nd and challenged over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Home Secretary (8-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
Herostatus 6-4fav (9-0) Always prominent, soon led, headed after 4f, led again entering straight, asserted over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 2m hcp 60-90 std in Nov beating Hawk Flight (8-13) by 4l, 12 ran.
Solo Performer (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, last into straight, stayed on to go moderate 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Home Secretary (8-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol.
The Pier (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders in 5th, improved into 2nd on inner early straight, no extra from over 1f out, eased close home, 6th of 14, 7l behind Solo Performer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
Bashkirov 33-1 (9-9) Prominent, 3rd halfway, weakened entering straight, 11th of 14, 15l behind Solo Performer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
Home Secretary 7-2fav (8-3) Held up towards rear, 8th approaching straight, headway 2f out, 3rd and challenged under 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol beating Dark Prospect (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Denny Crane 7-2 (9-8) Mid-division, 7th on inner halfway, progress 1 1/2f out, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Solo Performer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
London Bridge 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and one pace straight, 8th of 14, 5l behind Arcadian Dream (10-0) at Dundalk 7f Apprentice Handicap (60-85) (3yo+) pol.
Keeptheboatafloat (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Disputed 2nd until over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 5, 21l behind Kaleo (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f clm stks (5) gf in Aug '09.
Gargano (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Made all, soon clear, extended advantage to 15 lengths halfway, ridden and reduced lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol beating Try Freedom (8-7) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Redera (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, 11th on outer early straight, headway under 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, 2nd and kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Solo Performer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
Kalacan (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders in 6th, progress entering straight, 3rd and challenged 2f out, disputed lead briefly 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Solo Performer (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 60-90 pol in Nov.
Dazzle Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Close up in 2nd, led early straight, kept on under pressure from 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Dundalk 1m 4f app hcp 50-75 pol in Nov beating King Of Aran (9-6) by hd, 14 ran.
Saint By Day (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Held up, 5th on inner travelling well early straight, ridden over 1f out and not find as much as expected, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind London Bridge (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 50-80 pol.
