mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 6th 1 1/2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, pressed winner close home
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 3f out
dwelt and towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra over 2f out
chased leader, soon moderate 2nd, ridden to close over 2f out, stayed on to challenge under 1f out, led final 100 yards, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on well closing stages
held up towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
led, soon clear, ridden and reduced advantage over 2f out, soon drifted right, drifted left and pressed 1f out, headed final 150 yards, no extra
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, closer under pressure 2f out, no extra over 1f out
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden to close in 3rd 2f out, challenged 1f out and carried slightly left, led briefly final 150 yards, headed final 100 yards, no extra closing stages
dwelt and towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on into 8th 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden to close over 2f out, 7th 1 1/2f out, not clear run inside final furlong, kept on closing stages
MANDARIN MONARCH gave notice of an imminent victory when runner-up over 1m4f last month then went one better over that trip on a return visit where he was always travelling well. Dropping back in trip won't be a problem and he can complete a double. Thunder Speed continues to run well without quite getting there and looks certain to be thereabouts again while Carried has also been in excellent form over the trip and is only 3lb higher than his victory in October. Abraham has been in fine form over 1m4f and that looks his best trip but Shannon Soul ran a fine race behind Clear Skies last month and with Pat Smullen taking over could prove the main threat.
Johann Bach (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders early, soon settled mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, last of 9, 7 1/2l behind Clear Skies (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Boherbuoy (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Held up, progress in 7th 3 out, 3rd entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Lagostovegas (10-7) at Listowel 2m hcp hvy in Sep.
Shalaman (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Elishpour (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Mainicin (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Soon tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed under 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 6 3/4l behind My Direction (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Sep.
Shannon Soul (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on in 6th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Clear Skies (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Suitor 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outer, slight mistake 5th, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out and led last, pushed out to assert and kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Dec beating Sympa Des Flos (11-4) by 2l, 14 ran.
Poitin 25-1 (8-9) Rear of mid-division, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 7th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Elishpour (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Carried (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Led, pushed along early straight, ridden and headed over 1f out, under pressure and no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Clear Skies (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Abraham (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Rear of mid-division, 8th halfway, took closer order under 2f out, soon ridden, no impression in 4th final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Thunder Speed 5-2jfav (8-8) Chased leader, progress to 3rd halfway, improved to 2nd under 2f out, soon ridden, no impression and dropped to 3rd final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Here For The Craic (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Elishpour (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Analytical Mindset (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Raced in 8th early, soon 10th, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace without threatening from over 1f out, 6th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Wooster (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Dec.
Mandarin Monarch (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Held up, progress to chase leaders 2f out, ridden to dispute 1 1/2f out, narrow lead over 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Tildas Icon (8-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Introductory (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, 4th halfway, under pressure and lost place entering straight, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 12 1/4l behind Clear Skies (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
