slowly into stride, in rear, raced on outer straight and headway, kept on well inside final furlong without quite reaching front pair
soon raced in 6th, headway and effort straight, challenged between horses over 1f out, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
soon raced in 5th, travelling smoothly and headway straight, on terms over 1f out, soon headed and one pace
waited with towards rear, headway on inner straight, on terms over 1f out, soon led, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong to hold on at the finish
led early, soon raced in 4th, effort straight, soon challenged and every chance, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
keen, soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, effort straight, kept on well inside final furlong without quite reaching winner
The 2018 winner War Hero was placed on Wednesday but is a long way out of the handicap. SAN ANDREAS completed a double here in February and also scored at Fairyhouse during the summer. Hugh Horgan gets on well with him and a big run is anticipated. Bucky Larson is down to his last winning mark and Sean Bird's 10lb claim puts him right in the mix. He holds Tyrconnell on their latest run behind Freescape but Major Power, a five-times track winner, burst back to life behind that winner last time and is on the same mark. Brushwork, who completed a Newcastle hat-trick at this time a year ago, has been staying on over 6f the last twice so should get into contention.
San Andreas (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, no impression and switched right over 1f out, kept on well on outer inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, nearest at finish, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Masen (9-7) at Leopardstown 7f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Bucky Larson (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Prominent early, chased leaders after 1f, 6th halfway, travelled well and closed under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression in 3rd final 100 yards, dropped to 4th final stride, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Freescape (9-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Tyrconnell (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Rear, 13th halfway, switched right 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Freescape (9-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Inflection Point (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, not clear run under 2f out, ridden and 6th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Dream Today (10-0) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Major Power (IRE) 22-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and led over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed 50 yards out, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Freescape (9-12) at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov.
Ferrybank 33-1 (8-6) Dwelt slightly, towards rear on far side, ridden on outer 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 16th of 22, 7 1/2l behind Big Gossey (8-11) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Spanish Tenor (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to dispute 2f out, soon led, joined 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Ajax Tavern (9-7) at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec.
War Hero (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, ridden and headway to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, headed over 100 yards out, no impression closing stages, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Annexation (9-1) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Brushwork 7-1 (9-3) Broke well, tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden under 2f out and soon challenged, 3rd early final furlong, under pressure and kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Dream Today (10-0) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
