slowly into stride, driven along and soon mid-division on inner, switched right and headway into 6th 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong to lead final 100 yards
mid-division, 5th 2f out, soon no extra, weakened final furlong
prominent, 2nd halfway, 4th and under pressure 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
slowly into stride and always towards rear
never better than mid-division, 7th halfway, no impression from over 1f out
always towards rear, never a factor
always towards rear
never better than mid-division
chased leaders on inner, 5th halfway, ridden and kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
always prominent, 3rd halfway, headway on inner to dispute over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra final 100 yards
always towards rear
towards rear, some headway entering straight, 8th under 2f out, went 5th under pressure inside final furlong, kept on well
led, joined early straight, headed inside 1f out, soon no extra, kept on one pace
The top weight My St Clair is still a maiden after 14 starts which just about sums up the standard here. However, David Marnane's mare is no forlorn hope having run really well behind Inwood at Leopardstown early this month. Blue Law and POLLY ELLA won divisions of a poor Bellewstown handicap 10 days ago and preference is very much for the latter, who was quite impressive. Pat Smullen takes the ride for the first time and runner-up Five Two appears held along with fourth-placed Indian Wood. Alf Tupper is held by Blue Law on the Bellewstown run but Johnny Murtagh has been booked so don't be surprised if the form is reversed on these terms.
My St Clair (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden in 12th over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Inwood (9-7) at Leopardstown 7f hcp 50-75 gf.
Ain Jalout (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 13, 9l behind Inwood (9-7) at Leopardstown 7f hcp 50-75 gf.
Blue Law (IRE) 9-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, improved to lead under 2f out, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out, won at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-60 gf beating Thistimesforgood (9-6) by 3l, 15 ran.
Five Two 9-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept to 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Polly Ella (9-2) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-60 gf.
Le Diablo Rouge (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Prominent on near side, 4th halfway, no impression over 2f out, 12th of 22, 14l behind Whiteball Wonder (9-8) at Curragh 7f hcp 50-75 sft in Oct.
Polly Ella (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway under 3f out, 4th 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-60 gf beating Five Two (9-8) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Indian Wind (GER) 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway into 6th 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 4l behind Polly Ella (9-2) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-60 gf.
Alf Tupper 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden into 9th 2f out, stayed on to 6th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 15, 8l behind Blue Law (9-3) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 47-60 gf.
Scopey 14-1 (9-6) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 14, 11l behind Option Be (9-6) at Roscommon 7f hcp 47-60 gf.
An Mhi (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Never a factor, last of 14, 30l behind If Per Chance (9-5) at Limerick 7f hcap hvy in Oct '08.
Celtic Life (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 9th early, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 9th of 15, 7l behind Gagnant (9-13) at Roscommon 7f hcp 47-60 gf in Jun.
Meabhs Star (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Rear of mid-division, weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Sean Og Coulston (9-1) at Down Royal 7f hcp 47-60 gf in May.
Native Dame (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Soon 2nd, ridden before straight, 3rd 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 12, 7l behind By The Sea (9-2) at Gowran Park 1m App hcp gf.
Mac Tiernan (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, eased under 2f out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind The Silver Crown (8-11) at Bellewstown 1m 3yo mdn aut gf.
