rear of mid-division, pushed along under 2f out and 6th 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden in 8th over 1f out, no impression and kept on one pace
mid-division, progress on inner early straight and led briefly 2f out, soon ridden and 3rd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division on outer, progress over 1f out, ridden to lead 100 yards out, kept on well
towards rear, some progress over 1f out, ridden and no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress travelling well under 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
broke well, tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and edged left, headed 100 yards out, kept on one pace
led, pushed along and headed 2f out, soon no extra, weakened
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 6th 2f out and soon no extra, weakened
Red Avenger, who won five times in the UK including off a mark of 96, had dropped to 75 when making his debut for Damien English here in November and duly took advantage when beating Reckless Lad and The Mouse Doctor narrowly. He went up 8lb but completed a double by beating CHESTNUT FIRE a nose last month and is up another 3lb. All of the beaten horses are better off at the weights and it's the latter, who has Conor McGovern's claim to aid his cause this time, who can come out on top. Johann Bach is held by Red Avenger and is still 7lb higher than his last winning mark.
Johann Bach (IRE) 9-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 12th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Song Of Love (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Political Policy (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and no impression straight, never a factor, 8th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Udogo (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Chestnut Fire 2-1fav (9-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, pushed along under 2f out and ridden in 7th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Ishebayorgrey (8-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Red Avenger (USA) 9-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead under 1f out, strongly pressed closing stages, just held on at line, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec beating Chestnut Fire (8-13) by ns, 11 ran.
Elusive Guest (FR) 16-1 (9-6) Pushed along from early, tracked leaders, lost place halfway, dropped behind over 2f out, soon eased, last of 12, dist behind Downforce (9-0) at Curragh 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 7-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Red Avenger (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
The Mouse Doctor (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1l behind Ishebayorgrey (8-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Joules 50-1 (9-3) Dwelt, always towards rear, no impression straight, never a factor, 10th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Cocoa Beach (9-9) at Dundalk 7f pol in Jan.
Pullman Brown (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along 2f out and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 8th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Song Of Love (8-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
See You When (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, well beaten over 2f out, last of 12, 29 3/4l behind Fort Bastion (9-8) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (6) pol in Oct.
