chased leaders on outer, lost place from halfway and 8th from 3f out, soon pushed along and no impression in 6th from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division on outer, dropped towards rear from halfway and ridden from 3f out, no impression and eased from 2f out
towards rear and 9th from 3f out, soon ridden and no impression from under 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
towards rear, good progress from 3f out and ridden to challenge in 2nd from over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong without matching winner
mid-division and 7th from 3f out, soon pushed along, no impression and weakened
mid-division and 6th from 3f out, ridden in 5th from 2f out and went 3rd 1f out, no impression on principles and kept on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders and 4th from 3f out, ridden in 3rd from 3f out, no impression from 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 5f out, raced wide into straight and soon pushed along in 5th, ridden from 2f out and soon weakened
slow into stride and towards rear early, soon improved into mid-division, closer in 3rd from 3f out, further progress to lead from 2f out and ridden over 1f out, soon strongly pressed and kept on best closing stages
chased leaders, pushed along in 2nd from 3f out, soon ridden and lost place, no extra and weakened from over 1f out
chased leaders before improving to lead over 5f out and soon went a few lengths clear, ridden and pressed from 2f out, soon headed, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong
Harvey Specter has won twice on soft ground though took a little while to warm up last season. Curley Bill is well handicapped but hasn't run for almost two years and prefers further. Tony The Gent won't mind the conditions and will be sharper for his run in the Irish Lincolnshire while St Gallen is fit from a recent run at Dundalk. Hyperdrive reappeared in good form last summer but has been looking high in the weights since completing a double so the vote goes to SANDSTORMING, who returned to action with a victory over this trip at Cork a year ago. Balanced Approach makes his handicap debut from a lowly mark and will appreciate the going.
Tony The Gent (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, no impression straight, never a factor, 16th of 20, 29 3/4l behind On The Go Again (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Sandstorming (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, hampered 3 out, no impression, never a factor, 16th of 25, dist behind Discorama (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
The Graduate (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up, not always fluent jumping, 13th at 3rd, no danger from 3 out and pulled up before 2 out, at Clonmel 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Ontheiflist (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Dwelt, towards rear, took keen hold, progress into 10th and ridden 2f out, 6th 1f out, no extra, 6th of 20, 9 1/4l behind On The Go Again (9-2) at Naas 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Our Channel (USA) 66-1 (9-2) Dwelt, always behind, no impression from 2f out, never a factor, 11th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Hamley (8-9) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
St Gallen (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Adieux (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Balanced Approach (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Prominent, soon 2nd, reminder approaching halfway, lost place 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 29l behind World War (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m 1f mdn hvy in Oct.
Hyperdrive (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, soon 5th, pushed along under 4f out, no impression straight, no extra and eased inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 36 1/4l behind Tudor City (8-11) at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp sft in Sep.
Curley Bill (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, 12th on outer 3f out, improved to chase leaders 1f out, one pace, 5th of 15, 3 1/4l behind Repeater (8-6) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp Yielding in May.
Harvey Specter (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, took keen hold early, ridden and went 2nd 2f out, dropped to 4th under 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 20, 1 3/4l behind Grand Partner (9-13) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct.
King Christophe (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, some progress on outer and ridden in 8th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Mar beating Ligeti (9-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
