raced in 6th early, headway and effort straight, no extra inside final furlong
waited with towards rear, switched left to inner and headway straight, led inside final furlong, soon asserted and stayed on well
a little slow into stride and soon behind in rear, some headway and switched left over 1f out, ran on well without threatening inside final furlong
pushed along briefly early and raced in 11th, switched left from 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening after
disputed lead briefly early, prominent, effort straight, no extra inside final furlong
pushed along briefly early and raced in 10th, headway towards outer straight, stayed on well without threatening winner inside final furlong, 2nd near line
pushed along briefly early and disputed lead, raced mainly close up, on terms again over 2f out, soon headed and no extra
disputed lead early, soon narrow leader, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
raced in 8th early, headway to challenge and on terms over 2f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, one pace and dropped to 3rd near line
soon close up, pushed along approaching straight, soon lost position and no extra
a little slow into stride, raced in 12th early, switched right to outer straight and headway, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong
raced in 5th early, effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong
pushed along briefly early and raced in 7th, improved to challenge and every chance from 2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
a little slow into stride, raced in 9th early, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Highly Approved and Fashaar are both 3-11 on the track. The former finished a good second over the trip in November and didn't appreciate running over a mile two days later while the latter is inconsistent though has won from a higher mark and beat subsequent winner Eacharn when scoring in November. FIT FOR FUNCTION and Parkers Hill finished in the places behind Whatharm a fortnight ago when the winner, who is now rated 77, was completing a double. The former was only caught in the closing stages and has been left on the same mark so looks well enough treated to go one better. Will Be King, who started favourite in that latter event, didn't get the run of the race and it would be no shock to see him bounce back.
Highly Approved (IRE) 2-1fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, some headway on inner 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 13, 16 1/2l behind Lord Rapscallion (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Outside Inside (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Soon raced in 8th, headway and effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Lord Rapscallion (9-8) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Salt Whistle Bay (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Prominent and led after 1f, joined after halfway, headed from 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Lord Rapscallion (9-8) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Billyfairplay (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Soon raced in 8th, effort straight, one pace final furlong, 10th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Sayesse (9-2) at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec.
Sir Ottoman (FR) 40-1 (9-2) Soon prominent and on terms after halfway, headed from 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Lord Rapscallion (9-8) at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec.
Will Be King (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, closer and not clear run over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Whatharm (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Parkers Hill (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Prominent and led after 1f, pushed along on outer and headed 2f out, soon ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Whatharm (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Bay Of Skaill 5-1fav (9-6) Tracked leader on inner, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, weakened 1 1/2f out, eased under 1f out, last of 17, 17 3/4l behind Ducky Mallon (9-4) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp Good - Yielding in Jun.
Fit For Function 14-1 (9-12) Led early, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led again 2f out, soon ridden, under pressure and headed over 100 yards out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Whatharm (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Frosty Beach (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Towards rear, pushed along approaching straight, switched right under 2f out and mid-division 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 13 1/2l behind We'll Go Again (9-5) at Gowran Park 1m hcp hvy in Oct.
Poet's Pride 20-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 16, 13 1/4l behind Dubai Acclaim (11-5) at Doncaster 1m stks (5) gf in Sep.
Eacharn (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-12) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, headway between horses 2f out and ridden to challenge over 1f out, led early final furlong and kept on under pressure, held on, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov beating Loaded (9-8) by shd, 14 ran.
Fashaar 6-1 (10-1) A little slow into stride, towards rear, headway on outer from before straight, soon effort, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Munfallet (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
The Bittern Cry (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Dwelt and pushed along, towards rear, kept on same pace from 2f out, 16th of 18, 9 3/4l behind Hidden Spark (8-6) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp gd in Jul.
