ridden to be prominent, close 3rd halfway, weakened 2f out
led and strongly pressed, ridden and headed under 2f out, no extra
chased leader in close 2nd, led under 2f out, ridden and headed under 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace
mid-division early, towards rear and ridden before halfway, no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, travelled well 2f out, ridden in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 2f out, not clear run on rail from over 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
hampered early, mid-division, ridden and hampered 1 1/2f out, switched and kept on final furlong
dwelt, towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
RICHELIEU can get a boost from Trotting Weasel in the first division, and, as his trainer believes him to be best fresh, a few weeks absence since he beat Rigid Rock and Desert Al narrowly here shouldn't be a concern and he can complete a double. Mrs Batt has only raced over a trip this short once in 28 starts and finished well beaten though she did show good speed for a long way over 7f last week. Bubbly Bellini has won five times on an all-weather surface but his consistency means he is not as well handicapped as on turf though Leigh Roche's claim will be a big help and he's very much respected.
Bubbly Bellini (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Soon chased leaders, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Ondeafears (9-4) at Cork 6f Apprentice Handicap (55-75) (3yo+) in Oct.
Grigorovitch (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 6l behind Johnstown Lad (9-12) at Dundalk 5f hcp 50-80 pol in Oct '10.
Rigid Rock (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Led and attempted to make all, driven along from early straight, kept on under pressure, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Richelieu (8-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Keeptheboatafloat (USA) 66-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, 13th of 14, 15l behind Angel's Pursuit (9-5) at Dundalk 6f 3yo stks pol in Dec.
Kenton Street 5-1fav (9-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Hard Rock City (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Richelieu 9-2fav (8-12) Mid-division, ridden on inner entering straight, switched right and headway into 4th 1f out, kept on well under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov beating Rigid Rock (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Rose Garnet (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on outer, 9th halfway, ridden in 7th over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Richelieu (8-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Afterglow 20-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, veered right halfway, soon no impression, 12th of 13, 17l behind Wellmarked (8-12) at Cork 5f hcp 47-65 sft in Oct.
Be Attitude (IRE) 11-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 7th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 7th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Suspect Device (9-4) at Fairyhouse 7f hcp 47-60 gd in Jun.
Desert Al (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 3rd 2f out, challenged under pressure from over 1f out, no impression on winner closing stages, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Richelieu (8-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp 47-65 pol in Nov.
Mrs Batt (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed brielfy 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Hard Rock City (10-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-65 pol.
Novena (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 18l behind Elwazeer (8-9) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Dec.
Shirley Schmidt (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden and no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 10l behind Mutasareb (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol.
