led and disputed, ran freely early, tracked leader after 2f , challenged travelling well over 2f out, ridden and dropped to 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, progress on outer to challenge entering straight, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace
led and disputed, led after 2f , pushed along entering straight, strongly pressed and headed under 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd inside final furlong, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, last halfway, pushed along to challenge on inner from 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed 75 yards out, kept on
tracked leaders on inner, 4th halfway, travelling well behind horses 2f out, switched right and headway to 2nd over 1f out, ridden hands and heels to lead 75 yards out, kept on well
held up in rear, 5th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, no extra
DUNKIRK HARBOUR won here in April and has been mixing it in much stronger company subsequently, scoring at Killarney and running well in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh. He'll find this much less daunting and will take some beating. Simsir receives 7lb and was a very impressive maiden winner at Cork despite start 25/1. Michael Halford's charge is in the 'could be anything' category while we know that Aussie Valentine is a solid handicapper with seven victories to his credit who will take advantage if his younger rivals don't come up to scratch. Denis Hogan's pair Tony The Gent and Yuften win their share and both arrive in decent form so are not out of this.
Dunkirk Harbour (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders and 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along 2f out, no impression over 1f out and no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Romanised (9-8) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul.
Aussie Valentine (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Quizical (11-12) at Curragh 1m gd in Sep.
Tony The Gent (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, 7th halfway, headway and effort straight, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 5 1/2l behind National Guard (8-12) at Killarney 1m Good - Yielding in Aug.
Yuften 12-1 (11-11) 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Quizical (11-12) at Curragh 1m gd in Sep.
Simsir (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway between horses under 2f out, progress to 2nd over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead final 100 yards, soon asserted, comfortably, won at Cork 1m 2f mdn Yielding in Sep beating Hazran (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Aneczka (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders on outer, pushed along halfway and lost place 4f out, soon weakened, eased, tailed off, last of 14, dist behind Finding Nero (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 2f hcp Yielding in Jun.
