chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway in 2nd 2f out, ridden to dispute over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
towards rear for most, never a factor
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden into 7th 1f out, no extra final furlong and kept on same pace
chased leader in 2nd, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 3rd 2f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra from over 1f out
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway in 5th 1 1/2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well final furlong
held up towards rear, no impression in 10th 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, weakened
mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra and weakened
held up towards rear, some late headway in 9th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
rear of mid-division, headway under 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 1 1/2f out, challenged over 1f out, 2nd and no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed 4f out, no extra and weakened
The toughest race of the night with several of these having been in action over jumps including the very useful novice chaser Beau Michael who scored on his last Flat run at Ballinrobe last summer. Grey Soldier, a regular winner on the level, has been competing in high grade company over hurdles and must be considered along with Cesarewitch third Pires, who has run well on the surface in the past. Toraidhe has been going well but over trips very much shorter than this and Blue Ridge Lane may do better as he scored over today's C&D at the beginning of the month. DENNY CRANE is always to be feared here and can gain his fourth success on the track. His C&D victory over Carlito Brigante in November was an obvious highlight and he can get the better of David Wachman's recruit from England Mount Athos, who might just need the run.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 5-1fav (8-7) won at Deauville(FR) 1m stk gd in Aug '09 beating Sceptre Rouge (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 19 ran.
Pires 12-1 (10-0) Always behind, driven along approaching straight, eased when beaten over 1f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Celtic Dane (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 60-100 in Mar.
Toraidhe (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Always prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, headed under pressure 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and dropped to 4th closing stages, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Dahindar (9-8) at Dundalk 7f Ext hcp pol.
Emerging Artist (FR) 4-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 13, 1l behind Layline (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Bravely Fought (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Held up, 8th halfway, ridden into 6th 1f out, kept on to challenge closing stages, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Hawk Flight (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf.
Mount Athos (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 12l behind Vulcanite (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Zaralabad (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, progress on outer early straight, 5th under 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly under 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on under pressure, 4th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Gimli's Rock (9-0) at Naas 1m 4f hcap gd in Oct.
Broad Meaning 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, keen hold, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, 4th and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Maximo (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol.
Denny Crane 4-1 (8-9) Rear of mid-division, headway in 9th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong to lead last strides, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec beating Dark Prospect (9-6) by hd, 14 ran.
Beau Michael 7-2fav (9-9) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 5f out, ridden and challenged 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, won at Ballinrobe 1m 6f hcp 50-75 in Jul beating Frutti Tutti (8-13) by 6l, 10 ran.
Blue Ridge Lane (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, 7th 2f out, stayed on in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Maximo (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 60-90 pol.
High Importance (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd, no impression straight, weakened from 1 1/2f out, 7th of 9, 30l behind Banna Boirche (9-11) at Dundalk 1m Ext hcp pol in Dec.
Dreamy Gent (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Settled 2nd, 3rd 6f out, improved to lead 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon no extra, 5th of 12, 13l behind My Blue Heaven (8-5) at Leopardstown 2m hcp 50-90 gd in Aug.
Dancera (GER) 5-1 (9-7) Close up, led halfway, headed under 2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 16, 20l behind Lynott (8-4) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp 50-80 gf in May.
Rocky's Pride (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, challenged in 2nd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Try Freedom (8-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Dec.
