held up, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
settled behind leaders in 4th, travelled well entering straight, switched left and progress 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, easily
held up, ridden into 5th 3f out, stayed on into 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace
driven up to lead, clear after 2f, 6-length advantage halfway, reduced advantage 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out
slowly away and behind, ridden and no impression 2 1/2f out, kept on one pace closing stages
chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and kept on same pace
CLEAR SKIES, who went up 10lb when completing a four-timer over the track and trip, then failed to last out 2m but was travelling well until fading in the closing stages. She's had a nice break and will be ready for this. Shannon Soul was only beaten a length by her in November and is 7lb better off so must have a chance of turning the tables. Elleval hasn't won since scoring on the Tapeta track at Meydan almost four years ago but remains a classy performer at his best though he's never won over this trip. Spruce Meadows has looked a couple of pounds high since landing a tough handicap over course and distance but should go well after a break. Wooster landed a maiden here then battled to victory over 1m4f in a handicap last week when Commander Won, who is better over that trip, was beaten just over a length. Zaofu won a maiden over the course and distance and started favourite in a handicap last week but ran poorly while Sharjah weakened quickly in the same race after leading into the straight.
Elleval (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Outpaced early and soon rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on and closer 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong and kept on closing stages, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Beach Bar (8-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Clear Skies 7-4fav (9-11) Held up in mid-division, headway on inner early straight and ridden to challenge over 1f out, no impression in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Elishpour (8-11) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Dec.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) 8th of 12, 8l behind My Direction (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Shannon Soul (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and no impression early straight, no extra from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 10th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Adieux (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Wooster (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway travelling well early straight and led 1 1/2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan beating Commander Won (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Commander Won (IRE) 7-2jfav (8-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out, under pressure and kept on one pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Wooster (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Zaofu (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and no extra under 2f out, eased final furlong, 13th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Adieux (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Sharjah (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Prominent, led after 3f, pressed approaching straight and headed 2f out, no impression over 1f out, no extra, 9th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Adieux (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
