chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and close behind leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up early, mid-division halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
led narrowly and pressed, joined halfway, headed 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, no extra over 1f out
close up and pressed leader, disputed halfway, led 2 1/2f out, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace
held up early, soon mid-division, progress towards inner to press leaders 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and progress on inner 1 1/2f out, under pressure in 6th 1f out, kept on into 3rd close home
dwelt slightly, soon mid-division, ridden towards outer 2f out, stayed on to press leaders 1f out, kept on into 2nd closing stages, held close home
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden behind leaders 2f out, stayed on to dispute 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, switched left and progress under 2f out, ridden and no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden towards outer 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to press leaders 2f out, disputed 2nd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division early, soon towards rear, ridden on inner 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders briefly, soon mid-division, ridden and no extra over 2f out
Gordon Lord Byron, a veteran of 106 races with 16 victories including three here, is on a very long losing run but very nearly made it number 17 when just failing to concede 27lb to Geological last month though that was over 6f. Both have won over this trip though are better over shorter. Yuften does his winning in claimers though his latest success was given a boost when the runner-up scored here earlier this week. Innamorare bounced back to form over the track and trip a month ago then started favourite for a strong Wolverhampton handicap on Monday but got no sort or run. THEOBALD (NAP) won three times here last winter and had a long break before reappearing in the race won by Innamorare last month where he just flattened out in the closing stages. He'll be better for that run and surprisingly is on a 4lb lower mark than his last success so looks very well treated. Trading Point was also close behind in that latter event after winning here in October and can get into contention.
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Pushed along briefly early, soon led, joined after 2f, narrowly headed from before halfway, kept on without matching winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Geological (8-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Nebo (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Dwelt, soon chased leaders, pushed along from 2f out and not much room briefly, soon switched left, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, bumped near finish, finished 6th, promoted to 5th, 5th of 9, 3/4l behind Insignia Of Rank (9-9) at Curragh 1m lst stks (1) gd in Jun.
Geological (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Disputed lead early, soon led, stayed on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov beating Highly Approved (8-11) by 2l, 13 ran.
Theobald (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and headway under 2f out, 2nd and ridden 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Innamorare (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Freescape 12-1 (9-10) Held up in mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Bernardo O'Reilly (9-9) at Ffos Las 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Yuften 4-5fav (10-2) Soon raced in 8th, headway and effort straight, led from 1f out, soon edged left, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov beating Sayesse (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Kafu (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Tracked leaders on outer, 5th halfway, pushed along early straight and no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 3l behind Innamorare (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Raphael (GER) 20-1 (9-8) Raced in 7th early, soon 5th, closed travelling smoothly into straight, no extra and one pace final furlong, 9th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Geological (9-12) at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov.
Sirjack Thomas (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Raced in 9th early, soon 10th, headway and effort straight, no extra and one pace final furlong, 10th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Geological (9-12) at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov.
Innamorare (IRE) 15-8fav (9-8) In touch, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Bubble And Squeak (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (2) pol in Dec.
She's A Babe (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Waited with, soon raced in 13th, raced towards outer straight and headway, kept on same pace without threatening inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Surrounding (9-7) at Dundalk 1m lst fll stks (1) pol in Nov.
Mutadaawel (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Waited with, soon raced in 11th, raced on inner straight, kept on same pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Geological (9-12) at Dundalk 7f pol in Nov.
Yes I Am (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Waited with, 18th 3f out, soon some headway travelling smoothly but no impression, kept on same pace without threatening, 10th of 22, 12 1/2l behind Summer's Dream (9-2) at Curragh 7f hcp sft in Oct.
Trading Point (FR) 13-2 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Innamorare (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
