soon prominent, 3rd 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon on terms, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
waited with, soon towards rear, headway and effort from over 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong
waited with, 9th 3f out, soon pushed along, impeded 2f out, one pace without threatening after
a little keen, waited with, soon towards rear, pushed along on inner over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on without threatening
soon prominent, 2nd 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent early, soon chased leaders, 7th 3f out, pushed along on inner over 2f out, soon switched left, impeded over 1f out, no extra after
led, headed after 1f, prominent, 4th 3f out, still travelling smoothly over 2f out, soon not much room, switched left 1f out, gained narrow lead and edged left and stayed on best close home
prominent, led after 1f, pushed along over 2f out, soon joined, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 6th 3f out, soon pushed along, weakened 1 1/2f out
a little slow into stride, soon chased leaders, 5th 3f out, headway to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, narrowly headed and slightly impeded and kept on without matching winner close home
waited with, 8th 3f out, soon some headway, kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong
DUKE OF MANTUA (NAP) needs to win here to justify entries in the 2000 Guineas here and at Newmarket. An eye-catcher on his debut here, he landed the odds with the minimum of fuss on testing ground at Gowran after which he was handed a mark of 104. Laelaps was 7l behind in that latter event and looks held while Shackleton Hero has had all but one of his runs to date at Dundalk, scoring there last month. He receives 22lb from the selection and has a fitness advantage so is greatly respected. Erzindjan landed a heavy-ground Cork maiden before finding Group 3 company beyond him at Leopardstown and this should be more his level, as it should for Fourhometwo, beaten twice at Pattern-race level since landing a Galway maiden.
Duke Of Mantua (IRE) 4-7fav (9-5) Settled behind leaders, pushed along after 3f, 5th halfway, closer in 4th 2f out, soon switched left, challenged 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 7f mdn sft in Sep beating Sword Zorro (9-5) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Fourhometwo 11-1 (9-5) Slowly away, raced in rear, soon slightly detached, closed up on field after 2f, 7th halfway, ridden and progress 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Zaffy's Pride (9-0) at Dundalk 7f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
The Blue Panther (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) In rear, 10th at halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Colfer Kay (8-6) at Naas 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Keeper Of Time (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Led, joined 2 1/2f out, soon pushed along, headed under 1f out, one pace, 7th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Elysium (9-2) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) Yielding in Sep.
Laelaps (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Prominent, led inside 1st furlong, pressed straight and headed over 1f out, soon no extra, 6th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Flying Visit (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Oct.
Erzindjan (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, in touch in 5th at halfway, ridden in 6th over 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, no extra, 4th of 7, 7 3/4l behind Poetic Flare (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Amazed By Grace 66-1 (9-0) Soon mid-division, 8th halfway, progress over 1f out, edged right under 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Ecliptical (9-3) at Naas 7f sft in Oct.
Rave N Contagion (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, 2nd 1 1/2f out, pressed leader from over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Taipan (9-7) at Naas 1m mdn hvy in Nov.
Shackleton Hero (IRE) 1-4fav (9-7) Went left leaving stalls, chased leaders, 3rd travelling well 2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden clear 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Feb beating Approbare (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
True Artist (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Soon prominent and disputed, kept wide straight, headed 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to dispute inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Hector De Maris (9-6) at Naas 7f hcp hvy in Nov.
Knocknakilla (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Held up in mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Sister Rosetta (9-2) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Nov.
