chased leader, 2nd halfway, led 4f out, joined 3f out, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, no extra 2f out
mid-division, ridden into 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden in 10th 3f out, no impression 2f out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra over 2f out
mid-division, progress into 6th 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, no extra 2f out
settled behind leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened 4f out, eased over 2f out
mid-division early, soon held up towards rear, ridden 5f out, no impression over 3f out, soon no extra, eased over 2f out
led, ridden and headed 4f out, soon no extra and weakened, eased over 2f out
held up towards rear, progress under 3f out, ridden into 9th 2f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, progress into 7th 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, 2nd and no chance with winner 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, some progress into 14th under 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out
held up towards rear, progress in 9th 4f out, 5th 3f out, challenged travelling well 2 1/2f out, led 2f out, ridden to assert 1 1/2f out, kept on strongly to stretch clear inside final furlong
held up towards rear, progress 3f out, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden and no extra over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division best, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra over 2f out
soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd 4f out, disputed 3f out, ridden and joined 2 1/2f out, headed 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division early, closer in 5th halfway, improved to challenge 3f out, disputed 2 1/2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
This ultra-competitive handicap was run at Navan last year where Davids Charm finished second and NESSUN DORMA (NAP) a close fourth. The former arrives in outstanding form having completed a double over hurdles since landing a 1m6f Killarney handicap. The latter looks to have been primed for a crack at this as he was having his first start since November when staying on steadily over 1m5f at Leopardstown last month and gets the nod though Dalton Highway, runner-up to Davids Charm at Killarney, has a chance of turning the tables. Lever Du Soleil has been racing over jumps since completing a four-timer in minor handicaps while Shamad has won four of his last five and shouldn't have any problems over the longer trip. Saglawy represents the selection's yard and looked a very smart stayer when easily beating Newcross at Listowel.
Saglawy (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, improved into 2nd 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, soon ridden to assert, kept on strongly final furlong, won at Listowel 1m 6f sft in Sep beating Newcross (11-4) by 5l, 12 ran.
Davids Charm (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, closer soon after halfway and went 2nd 4 out, led entering straight, pushed along to assert after 2 out and soon clear, kept on well, easily, won at Tipperary 2m (1) gd in Oct beating Plinth (11-0) by 12l, 6 ran.
Nessun Dorma (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Towards rear, 14th before halfway, pushed along from 3f out, 11th into straight and raced towards outer, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Kastasa (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gd in Sep.
Eminent Authority (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) A little slow into stride, in rear, pushed along 4f out, no impression into straight where raced on outer, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong, 11th of 17, 6 1/4l behind Kastasa (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gd in Sep.
Rock De Baune (FR) 6-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, niggled along halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1 1/2f out, challenged over 1f out, led final 200 yards, kept on well closing stages, won at Listowel 1m 6f hcp sft in Sep beating Royal Illusion (9-8) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Baba Boom (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, 13th under 6f out, not much room final 150 yards and switched left, ridden and ran on well, never on terms, 6th of 20, 4 3/4l behind Great White Shark (10-10) at Galway 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Newcross (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress and slightly short of room 2f out, soon switched out, ridden in 3rd 1 1/2f out, no impression on leader in 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Saglawy (11-0) at Listowel 1m 6f sft in Sep.
Golden Spear 16-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression 2 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Davids Charm (11-4) at Listowel 2m hcp Yielding in Sep.
Legal Spin (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, 3rd halfway, 5th and pushed along entering straight, no extra 1 1/2f out, 7th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Pearl Warrior (8-4) at Listowel 1m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Shakespear'sgalley (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Prominent and soon tracked leader, 3rd 7f out, ridden and every chance entering straight, weakened final furlong, 10th of 20, 7 3/4l behind Great White Shark (10-10) at Galway 2m 1f hcp gd in Jul.
Dalton Highway (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, 6th halfway, pushed along when short of room over 2f out, ridden in 3rd when slightly hampered over 1f out, switched left and progress under pressure to challenge inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Davids Charm (9-2) at Killarney 1m 6f hcp sft in Aug.
Lever Du Soleil (FR) 3-1 (11-1) Towards rear, slightly hampered 9th, good headway from 4 out, disputed lead after 3 out, ridden and headed after next, no impression on winner at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 4l behind The Caddy Rose (11-5) at Navan 2m 4f gd in Sep.
Royal Illusion (IRE) 13-8fav (9-8) Held up, mid-division in 6th halfway, progress in 3rd 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to dispute 1 1/2f out, headed final 200 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Rock De Baune (9-7) at Listowel 1m 6f hcp sft in Sep.
Linger (IRE) 3-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, good headway into 3rd over 2f out, 2nd and ridden over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Dinard Rose (8-4) at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug.
Shamad (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final 2f, headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Employer (8-13) by shd, 14 ran.
Royal Aide (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out and led 1f out, kept on well and asserted final 100 yards, won at Bellewstown 1m 4f hcp gd in Aug beating Construct (9-11) by 1l, 10 ran.
Red Gerry (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, pushed along early straight and went 2nd 1f out, ridden and kept on well, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Pearl Warrior (8-4) at Listowel 1m 4f hcp sft in Sep.
Dinard Rose (IRE) 11-4fav (8-4) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well and headway to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp sft in Aug beating Linger (9-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
