chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, under pressure in 2nd 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, headed closing stages and no extra
soon led, ridden and challenged 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden entering straight, some late headway final furlong
rear of mid-division for most, never a factor
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden and no extra entering straight
held up in rear, ridden into 9th 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead close home
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, no extra and weakened
mid-division, ridden and no impression over 2f out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on to challenge closing stages, no extra close home
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression in 6th 1f out, kept on one pace
A competitive start to a tough programme. Almadaa beat Bank On Black over the C&D before finding a 10lb rise just too much to handle. He can again take care of the runner-up and third-placed Kalacan, especially as the latter appears better over further and could only finish fourth over 7f last week when Forbidden City and Cailin Coillteach were just in front and Be Attitude close behind. The veteran Desert Al is very closely matched with RIGID ROCK on their last two runs but the latter continues in fine shape, despite once again finding one too good over 5f last week, and with regular partner Kevin Manning taking over he looks the one to be on.
Almadaa 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway in 5th 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed under 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind An Saighdiur (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.
Rigid Rock (IRE) 13-2 (8-2) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden in close 4th 1f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, disputed close home, headed on line, 2nd of 12, shd behind Copper Dock (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Bank On Black (IRE) 4-1fav (9-9) Attempted to make all, ridden over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Almadaa (9-6) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
Bubbly Bellini (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, 11th of 13, 11l behind Rocky's Pride (9-7) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Kalacan (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Rear of mid-division, ridden into 8th 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Naoise (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Grigorovitch (IRE) 33-1 (7-12) Mid-division best, ridden and no extra 2f out, 10th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Copper Dock (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Forbidden City (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Soon led and disputed, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, challenged and kept on inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Naoise (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Gandolfini (IRE) 28-1 (7-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 5l behind Copper Dock (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcap pol.
Cailin Coillteach 11-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Naoise (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Alvar (USA) 66-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, some late headway from over 1f out, never a danger, 7th of 14, 7l behind An Saighdiur (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.
Afterglow 25-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 9l behind Richelieu (9-5) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
Be Attitude (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Naoise (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Charismas Birthday (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Soon led and disputed, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra and weakened, 12th of 14, 11l behind Naoise (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Desert Al (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Richelieu (9-5) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
The Yellow Bin (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 12l behind Danick Of Time (9-5) at Dundalk 1m Apprentice Maiden Stakes (4yo+) pol.
Mill Moss (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 11th of 14, 10l behind Tribes And Banner (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f app hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Hi Kort Lady (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division, ridden and weakened entering straight, eased over 1f out, last of 14, 28l behind An Saighdiur (9-0) at Dundalk 6f stks 0-70 pol in Jan.
