mid-division, ridden under 4f out, no impression 2f out, no extra over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and no impression 2 1/2f out, no extra 2f out
mid-division, progress into 6th under 2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, led final 100 yards, kept on well
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge under 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, headed final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, progress and short of room 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and progress 2f out, 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and no impression towards outer 2f out, no extra over 1f out
disputed, led after 2f, ridden and headed under 3f out, no extra 2f out
dwelt and towards rear, ridden on outer 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear, ridden 4f out, no extra 3f out, eased entering straight, pulled up inside final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge under 2f out, disputed briefly 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out
This is an exceptionally difficult handicap but three-year-olds have an outstanding record and hold a strong hand again. Cook Islands was undoubtedly disappointing when runner-up to Lustrous Light in a three-runner race at Fairyhouse but is likely to be suited by this big field and stronger gallop. Zalfana finished tailed off in that event but that wasn't her form and she's best judged on an earlier run behind Irish Derby third Stellar Mass at Down Royal. Tonkinese had only two rivals to beat at Gowran but did it well and has some strong earlier form but this could be the day the older horses reverse the trend. Mr Right has been in superb form, though over shorter trips, while STRONGER THAN ME has a verdict over Ringside Humour here in November. The latter reversed the form later but that was on Turf and it's the former who is handed the verdict.
Torcedor (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, lost place 4f out, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression in 8th entering straight, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Golden Spear (8-4) at Galway 1m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Political Policy (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Raced in 8th early, still 8th 3f out, one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Castle Guest (9-9) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Aug.
Hawke (IRE) (8-13) 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind The Captain (8-13) at Deauville 1m 1f stks pol in Jun.
Ringside Humour (IRE) 11-4 (9-10) Raced mainly in 3rd, took closer order over 2f out and soon ridden in 2nd, challenged over 1f out and kept on inside final furlong without matching winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Soul Searcher (9-0) at Sligo 1m 4f hcp fll hvy in Aug.
Stronger Than Me (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and progress on outer 1 1/2f out, 3rd 1f out, soon challenged, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 10, nk behind Markhan (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp gd in Jul.
Lusis Naturea 15-8 (11-10) Took keen hold, soon raced in 2nd, 3rd from halfway, pushed along over 3f out, soon no impression, no extra and dropped to last near finish, last of 5, 19 1/4l behind Hostile Fire (11-0) at Bellewstown 1m 4f hvy in Jul.
Hurricane Cass (IRE) 5-1jfav (10-1) Mid-division, not clear run and slightly hampered 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Markhan (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp gd in Jul.
Cook Islands (IRE) Evensfav (9-10) Tracked leader, pushed along before straight, ridden from over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from 1f out, 2nd of 3, 2 1/2l behind Lustrous Light (9-7) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f Good - Yielding in Jul.
Mr Right (IRE) 8-13fav (9-7) Raced in 3rd, ridden in pursuit of clear leader over 2f out, closed over 1f out and soon went 2nd, kept on well inside final furlong, just denied, 2nd of 4, shd behind Ruler Of France (9-4) at Killarney 1m Yielding in Jul.
Tonkinese 2-1 (9-5) Led, pushed along entering straight, joined and strongly pressed 2f out, ridden and regained lead 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f gd in Jul beating Radiantly (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Maudlin Magdalen (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and joined 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no impression from 1f out, 5th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Lady Fandango (8-12) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp fll gd in Aug.
Poitin 50-1 (11-1) Dwelt, towards rear, never a factor, 19th of 20, dist behind Swamp Fox (10-7) at Galway 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Zalfana (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Soon raced off front pair in last, pushed along before straight, soon no impression and eased, last of 3, dist behind Lustrous Light (9-7) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f Good - Yielding in Jul.
Aridity (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Raced in 6th early, still 6th 3f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Castle Guest (9-9) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Aug.
Carried (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, on terms 4th, slight mistake 4 out, headed from next, mistake 2 out, soon no extra, 6th of 21, 15 3/4l behind Rathmuck Native (11-5) at Cork 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Marise (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, 6th over 2f out, no extra 1f out, 11th of 17, 12 1/4l behind Millefiori (9-12) at Galway 1m 1f hcp sft in Jul.
Venezia (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Pushed along from stalls and chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 4f out, pushed along over 2f out and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 13l behind Botany Bay (9-11) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gd in Jul.
