mid-division, 5th halfway, ridden and progress on outer in straight, led 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, stayed on well
led, headed briefly after 1f, pushed along under 2f out, headed 1f out, ridden and no impression on winner inside final furlong, dropped to 4th close home
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden under 2f out and 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along entering straight, 7th over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home
prominent and led briefly after 1f, 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, weakened
held up towards rear, 8th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
ran 4th, pushed along 2f out, ridden to go 3rd 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace to go 2nd close home
held up towards rear, 7th halfway, pushed along entering straight, switched left and 6th 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace inside final furlong
Jim Bolger has won the last three of these so Mandatario, who has run well here in the past, has to be respected despite some poor runs on Turf this season. FIRE FIGHTING started the year in Dubai and was having his 21st run when gaining his first ever all-weather victory at Chelmsford last week. He's been running well at a higher level than this and should complete a quick double. Johann Bach has won here in the past and deserves a crack at Listed level after completing a hat-trick in handicaps on Turf. He has a bit to find but is running so well that he should get competitive. Unsinkable finished last of three in a Group 3 here a couple of weeks ago but his earlier form when placed in very strong handicaps puts Ger Lyons' grey in the picture.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Hampered start, close up, switched left and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (3) pol in Oct beating Merritt Island (8-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Hes Our Music (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Mid-division, 7th on outer halfway, pushed along in straight and no extra over 1f out, 11th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Seanie (10-0) at Tipperary 7f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Johann Bach (IRE) 9-2fav (10-3) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, progress to 3rd 2 1/2f out, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m hcp gd in Oct beating Hat Alnasar (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Mandatario 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 8th from early, pushed along over 3f out, no impression from before straight, soon no extra, last of 16, dist behind Silwana (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp Yielding in Sep.
Unsinkable (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Raced in last throughout, pushed along 2f out, short of room briefly on inner over 1f out, switched right 1f out, no impression final furlong, last of 3, 2 1/4l behind Panama Hat (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Melanna (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Ran 5th, 4th halfway, pushed along in 5th over 2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final 200 yards, kept on to 2nd closing stages, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Synopsis (9-0) at Curragh 1m 1f mdn fll gd in Oct.
Hot Sauce (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Towards rear, headway when hung right over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Martlet (8-11) at York 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) gs in Aug.
Lily's Rainbow (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace straight, 6th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Devonshire (8-13) at Listowel 1m 1f lst stks (1) hvy in Sep.
