tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along and not clear run 2f out, ridden over 1f out and briefly short of room 150 yards out, kept on well closing stages
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden under 2f out and 5th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden early straight and rear of mid-division over 1f out, edged left and bumped rival over 100 yards out, kept on one pace
towards rear, pushed along early straight, ridden and rear of mid-division when slightly hampered over 100 yards out, switched left and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden 2f out and headway over 1f out, led 150 yards out, kept on well
always rear, pushed along and detached approaching straight, soon no extra, eased over 1f out, tailed off
pushed along early to lead, headed over 2f out and soon lost place, no extra over 1f out, weakened
tracked leader, 2nd 4f out, pushed along and led early straight, soon ridden and headed 150 yards out, no extra closing stages
rear of mid-division, never a factor, ridden early straight and no impression over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, pushed along 2f out and 7th on inner over 1f out, not clear run and switched right 150 yards out, kept on one pace
mid-division, pushed along on outer under 2f out, ridden and headway in 4th 1f out, kept on well to go 2nd closing stages
tracked leaders, 3rd 4f out, ridden under 2f out and no impression inside final furlong
rear of mid-division, pushed along early straight and no impression 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, never a factor
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra final 150 yards
Happaugue was in double-winning form early last year and, though shooting up the weights, continues to run well. Simon Torrens' claim is a real plus while Chateau Musar looks certain to attract support after his victory a fortnight ago, though he's been raised 7lb. BALLYCAINES was carrying a huge weight when just failing to make all over the track and trip two weeks ago. He was conceding the winner 13lb and Darragh O'Keeffe's claim can see him go one better. Gougane Barra has been raised 2lb for finishing third here in November but the lightly-raced Red Ball Of Fire was battling on over a mile last week and should be suited by the step-up. Merroir didn't get going until too late over the track and trip on Wednesday.
Gougane Barra (USA) 9-1 (9-13) Rear of mid-division, progress and pushed along 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Crescent Lake (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Happaugue (IRE) Evensfav (9-13) Chased leaders, headway into 2nd travelling well 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace in 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Crescent Lake (9-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Herculaneum (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Slightly bumped start, soon mid-division, 11th over 4f out, some headway straight, kept on same pace without threatening final furlong, 9th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Irish Poseidon (10-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Boasty (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to press leaders 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Dark Magic (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Flylikeaneagle (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Waited with, 10th after 3rd, slight mistake 4th, soon dropped off pace and no impression, kept on same pace without threatening from before straight, 6th of 11, 35 3/4l behind Crassus (11-2) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Vormir (IRE) 40-1 (9-10) Pushed along briefly early, soon prominent in 2nd, pushed along again straight, soon lost position, weakened from over 1f out, last of 14, 10l behind Prisoner's Dilemma (10-2) at Dundalk 7f pol in Dec.
Nashy (IRE) 4-1fav (10-2) Settled behind leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden and closer 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Storm Elza (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Ballycaines (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Soon led, went on approaching straight, reduced lead and headed inside final furlong, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Romann (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Red Ball Of Fire (IRE) 11-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Emphatic (9-11) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Muraahin 3-1 (9-13) Dwelt, soon mid-division, 7th approaching straight, challenged and on terms under 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Just Brilliant (9-10) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Jan.
Chateau Musar (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Waited with, soon mid-division, 9th approaching straight, soon headway and effort, on terms over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan beating Blackstone Cliff (9-11) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Strip Light (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Pempie (10-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Evening Verse (IRE) 80-1 (9-3) Soon 2nd, driven over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, dist behind Ivaquestion (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Chief Of Police (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Waited with, not fluent 4th, soon raced in moderate 8th, took closer order from 6th, a little slow 3 out, effort approaching straight, soon slightly impeded, kept on without matching winner from before last, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Hoke Colburn (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Merroir (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 8l behind Never Mistabeat (8-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
King Lenox 9-2fav (9-13) Prominent, led inside first 2f, pushed along and flicked tail before straight, headed from 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Aldente (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Storm Elza (IRE) 17-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge over 2f out, disputed 1f out, led final 150 yards, kept on well, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan beating Pineapple Express (9-9) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
