chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 4f out, no extra in 5th 3f out, weakened entering straight
keen hold early, soon chased leaders in 3rd, ridden entering straight, under pressure in 3rd 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace
held up, pushed along in 7th 4f out, ridden and no impression entering straight
chased leader in 2nd, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, headed final 50 yards, no extra
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong
held up, moderate 6th halfway, ridden and closer in 5th 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong to 3rd closing stages
always towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened before straight
settled off leaders in 5th, pushed along 4f out, closer in 4th 3f out, ridden into 3rd 1 1/2f out, stayed on final furlong to lead final 50 yards
Several of these ran at Gowran on Sunday with both Hurricane Sky and BENALEX PARK having to carry penalties for victories. The latter had less than a length to spare over Daigreen on that occasion and the runner-up had earlier beaten Hurricane Sky at Ballinrobe so it's Benalex Park, with Connor King's claim a major plus, who is handed the vote. Fionnuar has found some improvement since stepping up to middle-distances so it's a surprise to find her dropping back markedly in trip. Chignon scored at Brighton for Sir Henry Cecil but may find this ground against her.
Curl Cat (USA) 7-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden entering straight, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 8, 9l behind He's Got Rhythm (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Mar.
Fionnuar (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Prominent, keen hold, in front 2f out, drifted off rail 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Speed Dial (8-8) at Gowran Park 1m 4f hcp 50-75 gd in Apr.
Gra Geal Mo Chroi (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 14, 9l behind Silverlord (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Nov.
Daigreen (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, close 3rd entering straight, ridden to dispute lead 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on close home, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Benalex Park (8-10) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 47-65 sft in Apr.
Irish Reel (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Soon led, wide straight, headed 2f out, soon no extra, 9th of 10 Valbucca (8-8) at Navan 1m 2f fll hcp hvy in Oct.
Benalex Park 5-2fav (8-10) Mid-division, 8th on wide outer travelling well entering straight, ridden and headway into 4th 1 1/2f out, led under 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m hcp 47-65 sft in Apr beating Daigreen (9-13) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Definitely Best (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Mid-division, 10th halfway, soon ridden and weakened, 13th of 16, 21l behind Hurricane Sky (9-1) at Gowran Park 1m hcp 47-65 sft in Apr.
Hurricane Sky (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along in 9th 2f out, progress into 5th and ridden 1f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 1m hcp 47-65 sft in Apr beating Only Exception (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Chignon (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Held up and behind, hampered over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no threat, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Brimstone Hill (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
