mid-division on inner, headway travelling well 2f out, improved to lead and ridden 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
slowly into stride and in rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden in close 6th under 2f out, 5th 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd near line
slowly into stride and in rear, short of room under 2f out, switched right 1 1/2f out and soon ridden, edged right under pressure inside final furlong, kept on without threatening on outer, never nearer
chased leaders in 4th, ridden entering straight, weakened from under 2f out
disputed lead, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, rear of mid-division, 7th 2f out, soon ridden, still 7th on outer 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, went 2nd near line. never nearer
disputed lead, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, always towards rear, niggled along 2f out, hands and heels final furlong, never a factor
chased leaders in close 3rd, ridden 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
Star Fire won four races for Roger Charlton and her new connections will be hoping she can continue to improve as she's now on her highest mark. Strategic Heights had slipped down to a winnable mark here a fortnight ago and just held on in a bobbing finish with Sassaway a close third. The latter is 5lb better off and can take her revenge, though this is a very tricky opener. Kasbah, a close fourth in a premier handicap at the Curragh before scoring at Wolverhampton, has a touch of quality and would be a threat if ready after a break but the three-year-old Go Kart faces a stiff test against older horses for the first time. Rapid Applause has been racing in better company and should be winning soon but it's SPLIT THE ATOM who is taken to get back to winning ways as he scored over the trip early last month and has run very well in subsequent starts over further.
Kasbah (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven and ran on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (3) pol in Oct beating Seeking Magic (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Rapid Applause 6-1 (8-13) Dwelt, in rear, ridden to go 4th 1 1/2f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Togoville (9-4) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Split The Atom (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, disputing 2nd under 1f out when short of room briefly and switched right, stayed on well in 2nd close home, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Hat Alnasar (9-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
Star Fire 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Showtime Star (9-5) by nk, 11 ran.
Burren View Lady (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind Grey Danube (9-6) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Strategic Force (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, under pressure in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Split The Atom (9-7) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb.
Almadaa 10-1 (8-11) Towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along in 5th under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3l behind Split The Atom (9-7) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb.
Go Kart (IRE) 8-11fav (8-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 3rd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed near line, 2nd of 10, nk behind More Than Munny (8-12) at Dundalk 6f pol in Jan.
Strategic Heights (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Broke well, disputed early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong to lead on line, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb beating Rattling Jewel (9-12) by ns, 13 ran.
Your Pal Tal 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division and took keen hold, ridden and no impression straight, last of 10, 10 1/2l behind Hat Alnasar (9-5) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
Sassaway (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Strategic Heights (9-10) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Feb.
Turfjager (GER) 25-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and lost place approaching straight, soon in rear and no extra 2f out, eased, completely tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Political Policy (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
