raced in 4th, ridden over 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out
raced in rear, pushed along between horses over 2f out and soon went 3rd, ridden over 1f out and kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, not threatening winner
led, ridden and pressed over 2f out, soon headed, no extra and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along to challenge over 2f out and soon led, ridden over 1f out and briefly edged left, stretched clear inside final furlong, comfortably
raced in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, soon ridden and dropped to rear, no extra and eased from over 1f out
The versatile Jerandme had a prep run before winning this easily last year then was narrowly beaten over fences at Leopardstown. He's unbeaten in bumpers and has won over hurdles and fences as well as on the Flat and the all-weather. Firstman has a race-fitness advantage having completed a double on the track at the turn of the year including over this trip. He just failed to concede Bowerman 12lb back over 1m4f last week. Dash Of Spice's hey-day came in 2018 when he won at Royal Ascot but James McAuley will find a race for him though race conditions suit OKITA SOUSHI. A debut winner in 2021, his close third in a 1m6f handicap at Royal Ascot last summer should be good enough for this.
Dash Of Spice 12-1 (9-9) Led, clear 14f out until over 8f out, headed over 2f out, lost 3rd and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 10 1/2l behind Smart Champion (9-0) at Beverley 2m hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Firstman (FR) 13-8fav (9-8) Mid-division, 5th halfway, closer towards outer and pressed leaders 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, led narrowly 1f out, joined inside final furlong, narrowly headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Bowerman (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Feb.
Jerandme (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders in 6th, hampered and checked after 2f, ridden in 6th 3f out, weakened, 23rd of 30, 23 3/4l behind Waterville (8-9) at Curragh 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Okita Soushi (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Always towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, never a factor, 21st of 30, 16 1/2l behind Waterville (8-9) at Curragh 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Sep.
An Madra Mor (IRE) 250-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, pushed along and no danger from halfway, never a factor, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Nibiru (9-1) at Fairyhouse 1m 6f gd in Jul.
Joupe (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden towards outer over 2f out, stayed on closing stages of final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Cozone (8-13) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
