rear of mid-division, no extra entering straight
reluctant to enter stalls, raced prominently, 4th halfway, 2nd into straight, led under 2f out, driven clear from over 1f out, ran on well, comfortably
chased leaders, 7th over 3f out, weakened straight
mid-division on outer, no extra from 2f out
held up, kept on one pace straight
mid-division, driven along after halfway, 6th under pressure 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong
led, ridden and headed under 2f out, soon no extra
held up towards rear, kept on without threatening straight
slowly into stride and held up in rear, no impression straight
rear of mid-division, 9th when not clear run under 2f out, pushed out and ran on well final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, kept on same pace straight
always towards rear
held up towards rear, switched to outer early straight, ran on well from under 1 1/2f out
tracked leaders in 5th, ridden and no impression from under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
rear of mid-division, no impression straight
mid-division on inner, one pace straight
prominent, 3rd to 3f out, soon weakened quickly
tracked leaders in 6th, headway entering straight, ridden to go 2nd 1 1/2f out, no impression final furlong, kept on same pace
raced in 2nd, 3rd under pressure early straight, no extra final furlong
Castle Bar Sling invariably runs well here and landed this from a 3lbs lower mark a year ago on his reappearance though he hasn't been in very good form recently. Both of Northgate's two victories have come at Dundalk but there was nothing wrong with his close second to Dilinata at Gowran last time when Tarrsille, who made much of the running, was a close third and Funatfuntasia fifth. He would probably have won but for having to be switched at a crucial stage and can gain compensation. Hawkhill defied a long absence to gain his second victory at Limerick but has shot up the weights while Award Ceremony has yet to prove he stays a mile. Lord Kenmare has looked something of a Dundalk specialist in the past but there is no doubt he progressed last season and it would be no surprise if he defied an absence and ran well here.
Hallie's Comet (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Led, headed after 1f, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no extra and weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 6th of 7, 25l behind Fourpenny Lane (9-3) at Dundalk 1m fll stk pol in Oct.
Across The Rhine (USA) 40-1 (9-5) 8th of 14, 7l behind Midshipman (9-5) at Meydan(UAE) 7f stks (3yo+) in Feb.
Funatfuntasia 10-1 (9-6) Pulled hard early, settled 2nd, ridden entering straight, dropped to 5th 1 1/2f out, one pace, 5th of 15, 6l behind Dilinata (8-8) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
The Tooth Fairy (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 15, 13l behind Rain Delayed (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks gf in Apr.
Award Ceremony (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th entering straight, soon ridden, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 12, 5l behind Banna Boirche (8-9) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Apr.
Northgate (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders in 6th, progress when edged left 2f out, 4th over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Dilinata (8-8) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
Orpailleur 16-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden from 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 6th of 18, 3l behind Magic Mornings (7-13) at Leopardstown 7f ext hcp in Aug.
Tarrsille (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Led, strongly pressed straight, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Dilinata (8-8) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
Toufan Express 14-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, last of 15, 13l behind King Jock (9-9) at Naas 7f hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
Bangalore Gold (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 14, 8l behind Across The Rhine (9-7) at Dundalk 7f 3yo hcp 60-95 pol in Oct.
Grand Opera (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden in 10th 2f out, stayed on in 5th under 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 9l behind Take It Easee (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 60-90 in Mar.
Castle Bar Sling (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Never a factor, 13th of 15, 12l behind King Jock (9-9) at Naas 7f hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
Lord Kenmare (USA) 9-2 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway early straight, 4th and challenged on outer 1f out, led 100 yards from finish, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m app hcp 50-80 pol in Nov beating Little Bug (8-6) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Estephe (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Towards rear, 8th approaching straight, no extra under pressure from 2f out, last of 10, 14l behind She's Our Mark (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Listed stks hvy in Apr.
Sharisse (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Towards rear, dropped behind and eased from over 1f out, last of 29, well behind Toufan Express (8-9) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Hawkhill (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Soon chased leaders in 7th, ridden to close from 2f out, challenged and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Limerick 1m hcp 50-80 in Apr beating Time Machine (9-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Lonesome Maverick (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway into 6th approaching straight, led under 2f out, wandered about from over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, headed close home and dropped to 4th, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Avanti Albert (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f Ext hcp pol in Nov.
Spirit of Xaar (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Rear of mid-division, 11th halfway, some headway on outer from 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind King Jock (9-9) at Naas 7f hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
Ceannline (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, progress early straight, led under 1 1/2f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 1m mdn stks gd in Apr beating Prayer Boat (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Fit The Cove (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Never a factor, 11th of 15, 9l behind King Jock (9-9) at Naas 7f hcp 60-100 gd in Apr.
