soon led, strongly pressed and almost joined inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up towards rear, last 1f out and no impression, one pace
led early, 3rd before halfway, pushed along into straight, not much room on inner and switched right 1f out where 4th, soon no impression, kept on
tracked leaders, 5th before halfway, switched left from over 2f out, soon not much room, switched right from over 1f out where 5th, soon no impression, kept on
tracked leaders, 2nd before halfway, 3rd 1f out, kept on without matching 1st 2 inside final furlong
chased leaders early, closer in 4th before halfway, pushed along into straight, 2nd 1f out, soon every chance and almost on terms, kept on without quite matching winner
a little awkward leaving stalls, held up towards rear, pushed along early straight, 6th 1f out, soon no impression, one pace
This trip is the optimum for FASTIDIOUS, who found 6f too sharp last time after a cracking run behind Captain Joy when the hat-trick seeking Marble Statuette was over three lengths behind. The former's trainer has made an excellent start to his career and with a 7lb claimer on board he can return to winning ways. Sassaway has had 14 starts here and never won though he's run well off much higher marks. Artistic Integrity scored over the trip at Gowran in the summer though has failed to fire subsequently but Have A Nice Day landed a decent handicap at the Curragh in June and is now just 3lb higher. Wishyouwerehere runs the occasional good race, as she did behind So Sensible in November, but she finished last on a return visit a week ago and though Elusive In Paris has been running well enough to be a prime candidate it's almost three years since he last won a race.
Fastidious 7-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden entering straight, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 9l behind Grey Danube (9-0) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Marble Statuette (USA) 5-1 (7-11) Dwelt, chased leaders, 7th halfway, no impression over 1f out, switched right and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Captain Joy (9-12) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Sassaway (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along on inner entering straight, went 5th 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd near line, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Grey Danube (9-0) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Dec.
Artistic Integrity 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and dropped to rear 1f out, no extra, last of 5, 7l behind Dolce N Karama (9-3) at Dundalk 1m stks 0-85 pol in Nov.
Have A Nice Day 6-1 (9-0) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, 2nd 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Whaileyy (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Wishyouwerehere (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression in rear over 1f out, no extra, last of 7, 8l behind Togoville (9-10) at Dundalk 7f Stakes (0-75) (4yo+) pol.
Elusive In Paris (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Mid-division, 7th halfway, progress under 2f out and 2nd 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Shabra Emperor (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp 47-70 pol in Dec.
