mid-division, pushed along 2f out and 7th over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
upset in stalls, dwelt and always towards rear, pushed along entering straight, ridden and under 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, led after 2 1/2f, headed after 5f, remained prominent and pushed along entering straight, 3rd and ridden under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
led early on inner, tracked leaders and 4th halfway, pushed along under 4f out, ridden and lost place entering straight, weakened and soon eased, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along and some headway early straight, 4th and ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
prominent early, tracked leaders and 5th halfway, pushed along and headway under 2f out, ridden and led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ran freely, headway to lead after 5f, strongly pressed under 2f out and headed 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, pushed along on outer 2f out, ridden in mid-division and wandered from over 1f out, no impression final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, some headway under 2f out and went 6th 150 yards out, kept on one pace
prominent on outer and led briefly after 2f, tracked leaders and 3rd halfway, ridden early straight, 5th and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, pushed along approaching straight and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace, never a factor
tracked leaders, ran freely, 6th 4f out, no extra under 2f out and eased from over 1f out
Half of these are course and distance winners while Scholastic has won over 2m here and over the trip elsewhere. Joseph O'Brien's charge has had a couple of runs over hurdles since winning here in January but is now on his highest ever mark. Vermilion Cliffs, who is by Galileo out of a Group 1 winner, started out at Ballydoyle where he was beaten a neck on his debut and won a maiden by that margin here in October. He's now with Denis Hogan, who will place him to good effect, though this looks a tough baptism in handicaps. Siobbhan Rutledge has steered Drakensberg to a double in recent weeks and, though Tony Martin's charge is up 7lb, it will be a surprise if he's not thereabouts again. He finished less than a length behind GLORIOUS ZOFF over the track and trip in January and the winner ran well for a long way in the Boodles Fred Winter at Cheltenham on his only subsequent start so he's handed the vote to go in again. Alghazaal, a lightly-raced winner here in October, is another to consider in an open-looking handicap.
Kasperenko 22-1 (9-13) Dwelt slightly, soon prominent on outer, 4th halfway, progress to 4rd over 3f out, closed under 2f out, ridden and every chance in 2nd over 1f out, lost place and no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Grandmaster Flash (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Pure Nature 10-3 (9-10) Rear, 6th halfway, 5th over 4f out, took closer order 3f out, dropped to rear and ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Grandmaster Flash (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Mar.
Chiricahua (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Mid-division, progress into 5th 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 5l behind Paso Doble (8-11) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp sft in Oct.
Vermilion Cliffs (IRE) 5-6fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, soon 5th, 4th after halfway, raced towards outer straight and effort, on terms 1 1/2f out, led inside final furlong and pressed, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Oct beating Bluebeard's Castle (9-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Scholastic (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, mistake 3 out and soon lost place, pushed along in 5th from next, no impression and kept on same pace from last, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Behind The Wall (11-2) at Limerick 2m hvy in Mar.
Thunder Kiss (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders early, soon settled back to rear of mid-division, pushed along and some headway on outer early straight, 5th and ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, no extra, 5th of 11, 10l behind Mighty Blue (10-1) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp fll sft in Aug.
Alghazaal 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, disputed 3rd under 5f out, challenged and on terms over 1 1/2f out, gained narrow lead over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to just prevail, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct beating Wilderness (10-3) by shd, 14 ran.
Drakensberg (IRE) 11-8fav (10-0) Towards rear, pushed along and headway between horses under 2f out, went 4th and ridden 1f out, kept on well to lead final 50 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Feb beating Ballycaines (9-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Pin Your Hopes (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon raced in 11th, pushed along approaching straight, soon headway, led 100yds out, stayed on best, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn pol in Dec beating Dances With Stars (9-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Blue Shadow (IRE) 5-2fav (8-6) Pushed along briefly early, soon chased leaders in 5th, headway and effort straight, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Construct (8-12) at Dundalk 2m pol in Nov.
Father Ailbe (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Thosedaysaregone (11-5) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Mar.
Glorious Zoff (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway chasing leaders weakened, 16th of 22, 22 1/2l behind Jeff Kidder (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
