tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along early straight and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final 150 yards
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression under 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, kept on one pace, never a factor
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and edged left under 2f out, 6th and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along approaching straight and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace on outer inside final furlong to go 6th close home
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and headway to lead under 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on well final 150 yards
held up in rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, never a factor
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway and carried left briefly under 2f out, 2nd and ridden 1f out, soon edged right, no impression on winner final 100 yards
mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no impression 2f out, switched left over 1f out, no extra
rear of mid-division, headway on inner under 2f out, 3rd and ridden 1f out, no impression inside final 150 yards, kept on one pace
soon led, ridden and headed under 2f out, dropped to 7th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out and 8th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
disputed lead early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out and 4th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, ridden on outer 2f out and 9th over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
Plenty of course winning form here with Storm Steps and Turf Range having scored three times. The latter is returning from a very long break, as was the case when scoring a year ago before very impressive when completing a hat-trick in December for which he's been hit with an 11lb rise. Draco Pulchrac has been raised the same amount for completing a double here in recent weeks though hasn't finished improving but MADS BLACK EIGHTS has only gone up 4lb for last week's course and distance success over Eastern Racer and is taken to follow up as that was an apprentice's race and Sam Ewing can use his claim here. King Arthurs Sword came in for massive support here a week ago and though beaten backers will be looking for compensation.
Draco Pulchrac (IRE) 7-4fav (9-10) Mid-division, progress travelling well 2f out, improved between horses 1 1/2f out, ridden to dispute 1f out, soon led narrowly and drifted left, kept on well closing stages to assert, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Sep beating Guild (10-2) by 2l, 14 ran.
Darkened (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden on outer over 1f out, good headway inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Skontonovski (9-7) at Killarney 1m hcp sft in Oct.
Sandyman 50-1 (9-4) Soon led, pushed along early straight, soon ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 12th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Alaroos (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Turf Range (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Mid-division, good headway between horses to lead under 2f out, soon asserted and 3 lengths clear early final furlong, kept on strongly, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Rita Levi (10-2) by 5l, 14 ran.
Cursory Exam 10-3fav (10-1) Mid-division and 8th halfway, pushed along on inner over 2f out, took closer order and ridden over 1f out, no impression and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Red Trail (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Storm Steps (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, never a factor, 10th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Alaroos (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Mads Black Eights (IRE) 15-2 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, 10th halfway, switched right and pushed along 2f out, headway between horses into 3rd 1f out, ridden and led 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct beating Eastern Racer (9-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Singsong Lady (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Rear of mid-division on inner, pushed along entering straight, 7th and ridden 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Giladah (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp gd in Aug.
A Shin Undine (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, under pressure over 2f out, dropped to 4th 1f out, no extra in 5th closing stages, 5th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Silent Prayer (9-3) at Clonmel 1m 2f mdn fll gd in Sep.
Beer With The Boys 7-2 (10-2) Pushed along early and soon led, edged right after 1 1/2f, pushed along and headed approaching straight, soon ridden in 3rd and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 5l behind The Truant (9-10) at Sligo 1m 5f hcp sft in Aug.
Eastern Racer (IRE) 25-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway 2f out, 2nd and ridden when edged right 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Mads Black Eights (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Action Motion (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, never a factor, pushed along entering straight and no impression under 2f out, no extra, 14th of 17, 7 3/4l behind Dare To Flare (10-0) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Sep.
Riccardi Medici (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, 10th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, never a factor, 7th of 12, 8 3/4l behind Blackcastle Storm (9-13) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
King Arthurs Sword (IRE) 16-5fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway under 2f out, 6th 1f out, ridden and kept on in 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Dragon Roll (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Innamorare (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Rear of mid-division, some headway approaching straight and moderate 7th 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 16, 7 3/4l behind Focus Required (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m 1f hcp gd in Aug.
Lovesome Dove (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders on inner, mid-division halfway, ridden 2f out and 5th 1f out, no impression final 100 yards, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Instrumental (9-7) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Sep.
Stardayz (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 19, 3 1/4l behind Red Trail (9-6) at Navan 1m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
