chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and close up 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, held close home
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders on inner 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, narrow lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra 1f out
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out
mid-division best, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression in 8th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, progress on outer 2f out, ridden into 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra
chased leader, disputed after 2 1/2f, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and kept on one pace
soon led, slightly awkward around bend after 2 1/2f and joined, ridden 2f out, soon drifted left, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent briefly, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and close behind leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out
always towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out
Joseph O'Brien runs three here and though Palace Guard has the scope to do better on his handicap debut it's PAPARAZZI who has the stronger form. He was having only his fifth start when scoring over a mile last month and, with just a 1lb rise to contend with and winning jockey Sean Corby again using his claim, can complete a double. His former stable companion Matter Of Time is having her first run in a handicap and has the scope to do better. War Hero won over 6f here but showed the extra holds no terrors with another very good run behind Princess Yaiza, with Lucky Red behind, while Dragon Girl has been finding a mile just a bit too far on Turf and looks the type to appreciate the track and trip.
War Hero (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Soon tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along straight, soon challenged, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Princess Yaiza (9-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Palace Guard (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Soon towards rear, no impression from 2f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Flavius (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Lucky Red (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Soon towards rear and pushed along, some headway straight, soon one pace, 10th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Princess Yaiza (9-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Matter Of Time (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Ship Of Dreams (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Jan.
Paparazzi 12-1 (9-6) Held up, 9th approaching halfway, progress straight to get on terms over 1f out, led and stayed on best closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec beating Lucky Red (9-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Itschessnotchekers (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Zihba (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Dec.
Patrick Joseph 16-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, pushed along and no impression on outer 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 11th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Beach Wedding (8-10) at Down Royal 7f mdn Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Dragon Girl (IRE) 3-1fav (8-4) Disputed lead, headed after 3f, ridden in 2nd 2f out, moderate 3rd 1f out, no impression, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Baroness (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m hcp sft in Oct.
High Susie (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, some headway on inner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Ship Of Dreams (9-0) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Jan.
Pak Army (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Raced in rear, detached after 2f, no impression, never a factor, last of 6, 14 1/4l behind Declarationofpeace (9-7) at Dundalk 5f pol in Oct.
Taylor Velvet (IRE) 66-1 (8-4) Mid-division early, 7th approaching halfway, effort straight, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Princess Yaiza (9-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Rockafilly (FR) 66-1 (8-6) Dwelt, in rear, no impression 2f out, 12th of 14, 20 1/2l behind Powersville (8-11) at Naas 6f sft in Sep.
