chased leaders, 7th halfway, switched left under 2f out and ridden in 4th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out and no extra over 1f out, weakened
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, headed 150 yards out, kept on under pressure to lead again on line
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, under pressure and no extra final 150 yards
dwelt, in rear, never a factor, pushed along on outer and kept on inside final furlong
held up, 6th halfway, progress over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, kept on under pressure, headed on line
chased leaders, 5th on outer halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace to go 4th close home
The very consistent Strategic Force has his first start for Gerard O'Leary after showing consistent form in the UK, where he won twice on Polytrack. MY GOOD BROTHER hasn't won for over a year but has dropped to a lenient mark as a consequence and showed a bit more dash behind Togoville a fortnight ago when Counter Ridge was behind. It's about time the former was winning again and this looks his chance. Kimbay couldn't live with the pace of Danz Gift over the minimum last week when Sors was just behind and both should be at home over this extra furlong but I Will Excel has never won and seems better over an extra furlong.
Strategic Force (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Nuno Tristan (9-0) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
My Good Brother (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Togoville (9-4) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Counter Ridge (SAF) 20-1 (8-4) Slightly hampered from stalls, tracked leaders, ran freely, 4th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 5th over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 6, 8 3/4l behind Togoville (9-4) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Kimbay (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Prominent early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden behind leaders 2f out, kept on to challenge 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression on winner in 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Danz Gift (8-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
Sors (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Pressed leader and close up, 2nd halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden and disputed 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Danz Gift (8-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
I Will Excel (IRE) 4-1fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 6th halfway, progress 2f out, pushed along in 4th 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Settle For Red (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Fast In The Wind (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, soon prominent, saddle soon slipped forward, no impression 1 1/2f out, 9th of 13, 8l behind Chestnut Fire (9-9) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Stamp Of Authority (IRE) 5-1fav (8-13) Dwelt, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Midnight Dance (9-6) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
