waited with and raced in 10th early, headway on outer straight, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
soon tracked leaders, pushed along approaching straight, weakened final furlong
waited with and raced in 11th early, rapid headway to lead over 5f out, soon went on, reduced lead and headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace after
slowly into stride and slightly bumped with rival, in rear, headway straight, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong
waited with and 9th early, soon headway to track leaders, effort straight, no extra inside final furlong
bumped slightly early, soon towards rear, no impression from 2f out
soon raced in 5th, challenged and on terms over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
soon mid-division, headway and effort straight, ridden and edged slightly right 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace without threatening
soon tracked leaders, pushed along from 4f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
a little slow into stride and pushed along briefly, soon mid-division, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong
dwelt and slightly bumped with rival, towards rear, headway straight, kept on same pace final furlong
bumped slightly early, soon raced in 2nd, challenged and on terms over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
a little awkward leaving stalls, soon chased leaders, pushed along approaching straight, no impression when tight for room inside final furlong, kept on same pace
pushed along briefly early, soon led, headed over 5f out, pushed along 4f out, weakened final furlong
Michael Halford has a very strong hand here with three entries. Tirmizi has been out of sorts but both Lady De Vesci and SPELGO are in top form. The former gained her fourth success here last month but looks a bit high in the weights and it's the latter who looks the stable pick. He completed a hat-trick in effortless style a couple of weeks ago and, though hit with an 8lb rise, looks set for a four-timer. Pak Army went up a massive 11lb for his second course victory last month and couldn't quite cope on a return visit while Sevenleft has changed stables after finishing runner-up in a claimer, though has dropped to a winnable mark.
The Mouse Doctor (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent early, soon tracked leaders, challenged and every chance from 2f out, no extra and one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Irradiate (8-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Alabaster 13-2 (9-2) Soon led, joined over 6f out, soon narrow leader again, headed 2f out, weakened, 12th of 14, 28 3/4l behind Irradiate (8-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Itsalonglongroad 12-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden entering straight and soon no extra, in rear when pulled up quickly 1f out, at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Tirmizi (FR) 16-1 (9-1) A little keen, waited with early, improved to chase leaders halfway, effort and on terms from 2f out, soon headed and no extra final furlong, 8th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Irradiate (8-9) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Lady De Vesci (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders on inner, ran freely, 6th halfway, switched right entering straight and headway on outer under 2f out, ridden and led 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Nov beating Alabaster (10-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sevenleft (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Pushed along early, soon raced in 6th, improved to challenge and every chance straight, on terms briefly inside final furlong, soon headed and kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Sayesse (9-2) at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec.
Sheberghan (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, 10th of 11, 27 1/4l behind Royal Family (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Spelga 5-4fav (9-9) Soon raced in 5th, pushed along briefly before straight, soon closed travelling smoothly, challenged from 2f out, gained narrow lead over 1f out, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Early Strike (8-4) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Ultra Pride (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Led, pushed along early straight and ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed 1f out and headed over 100 yards out, no extra close home, 5th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Art Of America (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Pak Army (IRE) 5-2fav (9-8) Mid-division, ran freely, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on well on outer inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Art Of America (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Shamash (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, in rear early, keen and rapid headway to lead soon after 4f, quickly went on, reduced lead and joined under 2f out, soon headed and weakened, 12th of 13, 15 3/4l behind Cautious Approach (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Oct.
Storm Steps (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) A little slow into stride, soon chased leaders, closed up from under 5f out, pushed along before straight, on terms over 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Spelga (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Dragon Roll (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Waited with, soon raced in 13th, pushed along approaching straight and some headway, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Getaway Queen (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
National Identity (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Raced in 5th from early, effort straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Tracing (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Natch 12-1 (9-1) Soon raced in 11th, pushed along over 4f out, no extra from over 1f out, 13th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Getaway Queen (8-8) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Miss Louise (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and no impression 4 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 21, dist behind Rip Rocks Paddy Ok (11-7) at Cork 2m mdn gd in Jul.
Ozone (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Prominent and led after 1 1/2f, pushed along 2f out and asserted over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Ragtime Red (9-6) by 7l, 14 ran.
