tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along early straight, ridden under 2f out and no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
prominent and led after 1 1/2f, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out and no impression final 100 yards
led early, tracked leader on inner and 3rd halfway, headway in straight and pushed along to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, reduced advantage close home
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along in 6th 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headway between horses and not clear run early final furlong, kept on well closing stages, nearest at finish
mid-division on inner, 7th 2f out, pushed along and no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, 8th halfway, some headway on outer entering straight, 4th 2f out and ridden to challenge over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, pushed along early straight and no impression under 2f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along and no impression 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never a factor
tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression in 6th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
AZTEC EAGLE started out in a bumper before scoring over a mile here on very testing ground. He ran much better than his finishing position suggests at Listowel in September, again on heavy going, and can take this if handling the quicker ground. Art Of America completed a Gowran double in October but went up 12lb and was well beaten at Naas. He didn't show much in three starts over hurdles over the winter. Commander hasn't run since landing a Doncaster maiden for Roger Varian almost two years ago but Happy Company is generally thereabouts at this sort of level and should give a good account. Alcatraz has won from a higher mark and is fit from hurdling. Red Striker showed potential for the Stoute camp last season and Ger Lyons will get the best from him.
Commander Evensfav (9-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied to regain lead near finish, just held on, won at Doncaster 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Jun beating Cape To Cuba (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Aztec Eagle (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Slightly slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden 3f out, under pressure in 10th 2 1/2f out, stayed on into moderate 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 7 3/4l behind Prosecution (9-7) at Listowel 1m 1f hcp hvy in Sep.
Art Of America 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake at 1st, ridden in moderate 8th 2 out, kept on same pace, never a factor, 9th of 24, 20 1/2l behind Konitho (11-7) at Naas 2m mdn Yielding in Jan.
Red Striker (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside 4f out, chased leaders and switched right to inside 2f out, run flattened out final furlong, 6th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Hulcote (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Rips Dream (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Raced in 7th early, soon 6th, 5th before straight, kept on without matching principals final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Tirmizi (10-0) at Clonmel 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Alcatraz (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Mid-division best, 10th halfway, ridden and no impression before 3 out, 7th of 23, dist behind Galilean (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn Good - Yielding in Apr.
Happy Company (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway travelling well on outer early straight, ridden to go 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Cork Harbour (9-5) at Limerick 1m 3f hcp sft in Apr.
Havana Breeze (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Keen led after 1f, headed 5f out, lost place over 3f out, last of 10, 33 1/2l behind Calvinist (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Pointsevenk (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Mid-division early, pushed along straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 12th of 16, 10l behind Manqoosh (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m mdn Yielding in May.
Santorini Sun (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, 7th of 16, 12 3/4l behind Rock On Seamie (9-8) at Tipperary 1m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Ashqar (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Towards rear, keen hold early, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra 2f out, 6th of 8, 16 1/4l behind All's Quiet (8-8) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Jan.
