chased leaders, close 5th 2f out, soon ridden, went close 3rd under 1f out, kept on well final furlong
prominent, 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, led narrowly under 1f out, soon joined, edged ahead near line
led, ridden from 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed under 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened straight
chased leaders, 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, disputed lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, headed near line
chased leaders, 4th 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders on outer and took keen hold, weakened from over 2f out
towards rear, progress into 7th 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division on inner, ridden entering straight, 6th 2f out, went 4th inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, no extra from 2f out
towards rear, no impression straight
Fastidious was a progressive performer for Dermot Weld and scored at Gowran in September. If he takes to the surface he should go well for new connections. Golden Shoe has won over this trip on Turf but appears to be better over an extra furlong on this surface, a remark that also applies to Curl Cat. Greek Canyon made a bold attempt to make all over the C&D last month and has won from a higher mark on Turf but with a fast pace almost guaranteed it's CORE ELEMENT who can make his class tell. He's been competing at a higher level and hasn't been beaten far in his recent races so this looks within his capabilities.
Flic Flac (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 5th over 2f out, soon struggling and kept on same pace, 9th of 11, 12l behind Captain Joy (8-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Core Element (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra, 4th of 7, 6l behind Captain Joy (9-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Greek Canyon (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Led, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on close home without matching 1st 2, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Rummaging (9-1) at Dundalk 7f app hcp pol in Dec.
Atticus Finch (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Soon mid-division, improved to chase leaders on inner from 2f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Paene Magnus (9-8) at Dundalk 1m hcp 60-80 pol in Nov.
Fastidious 7-4fav (9-5) Made most, went clear entering straight, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn gd in Sep beating Iveta (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Golden Shoe (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Beat The Ballot (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Mayameen (USA) 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 7th and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, 6th of 12, 24l behind Hay Point (9-0) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f mdn stks sft in Jun.
Curl Cat (USA) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, closer in 3rd over 2f out, soon challenged, on terms 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Dimitar (9-7) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol.
Hi Emperor (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Copper Dock (10-0) at Dundalk 6f Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) pol in Dec.
Silenceofthewind (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 8, 12l behind Benandonner (9-8) at Carlisle 1m clm stks (6) gf in May.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Waited with, closer in 6th approaching straight, soon tracked leaders, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dimitar (9-7) at Dundalk 1m Handicap (55-75) (4yo+) pol.
