chased leader, moderate 7th 4f out, no threat in straight
mid-division, 6th 4f out, moderate 5th early straight, closer over 1f out and kept on one pace
soon led and attempted to make most, clear after halfway and 10 lengths ahead entering straight, soon ridden and reduced lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure, no extra and headed closing stages
chased leader, 5th early, ridden along and lost place before halfway, no threat from 4f out
chased leader, moderate 4th early straight, closer but dropped to 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, never a factor
chased leader, 4th halfway, moderate 3rd entering straight, ridden and closer over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, headway into 6th early straight, went 2nd 1f out and kept on under pressure to lead closing stages
always towards rear, never a factor
chased leader, 4th 5f out, soon ridden and weakened approaching straight
chased leader in 3rd, moderate 2nd entering straight, closer over 1f out but soon dropped to 4th, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
rear of mid-division, never a factor, moderate 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
chased leader in 2nd, ridden and no extra entering straight, weakened
always towards rear
Days Ahead has returned from jumping fences in sparkling form and completed a double last month where his battling qualities came into play. He hasn't been too harshly treated so another big run is expected though Noverre Princess, who was just behind in the first of those two events, will be fancied to turn the tables on the revised terms. Carlito Brigante will be warming up for Cheltenham and Blue Ridge Lane has been hit with a massive 9lb rise for last week's victory. ATMOSPHERIC HIGH had Shukhov and Fairylike adrift when landing a rated race a fortnight ago and though neither of the latter pair had a clear run the winner battled on well for Ian Brennan and the combination can prevail again.
Fleur De Nuit (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along early straight and no impression from over 1f out, no extra, 11th of 13, 7l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Atmospheric High (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway in 5th 2f out, ridden to challenge in 3rd 1f out, disputed inside final furlong and led close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol beating Prospectorous (9-0) by shd, 10 ran.
Benbecula 10-1 (8-11) Prominent and disputed lead, headed approaching straight, ridden 2f out and dropped to 4th over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Gretzky (8-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan.
Carlito Brigante (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 3f out, no extra in 6th 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 2l behind Prince Of Fire (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Feb '12.
Shukhov (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, not clear run 1 1/2f out, ridden and switched to inner 1f out, kept on same pace in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Atmospheric High (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol.
Blue Ridge Lane (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, stayed on to lead 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol beating Casimir Road (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Days Ahead (IRE) 13-8fav (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, stayed on to challenge 1f out, kept on to lead final 100 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan beating Noverre Princess (9-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Fairylike (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) 6th of 10, 4l behind Atmospheric High (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol.
Home Secretary 13-2 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden into 7th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 7l behind Atmospheric High (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol.
Why But Why (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, mid-division before halfway, weakened from 4f out, last of 11, 23l behind Final Flashback (9-8) at Wexford 1m 4f hcp 50-80 gd in Jul.
Habesh (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Blue Ridge Lane (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Diamondgeezer Luke (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 14, 10l behind Pique Sous (9-11) at Dundalk 2m mdn stks pol.
Bashkirov 9-1 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, no impression from 3f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Waterloo Sunrise (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 47-65 pol in Jan.
Fellisha (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division early, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression and kept on one pace, 9th of 14, 19l behind El Salvador (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stks pol.
Noverre Princess (IRE) 11-4fav (9-12) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, led briefly 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Blue Ridge Lane (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-65 pol.
Pleasing Sunset (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Mid-division best, no extra 5f out, weakened and tailed off, last of 14, well behind Pique Sous (9-11) at Dundalk 2m mdn stks pol.
