mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened
chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden into 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden in 9th 2f out, no extra
soon led, ridden and challenged 1 1/2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, just held on
held up towards rear, headway into 7th 2f out, ridden into 5th 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
dwelt, towards rear, good headway on inner into 5th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just failed
chased leaders, 6th halfway, improved to 3rd 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace
always towards rear
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home
rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and no extra over 2f out
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th under 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out
Mark Johnston sent out five winners from 11 runners on this track last year and the progressive OLD ENGLISH looks set to take his percentage to exactly half. An all-the-way winner over 7f at Lingfield last week, he races from just 3lb higher and will be suited by the furlong shorter trip. Ger Lyons won this last year and Red Army Blues is the type to improve in his second season while Extra Steps has experience of the track having performed with credit here on her last two starts in October. Elusive Express showed very good pace on her most recent start over 7f here in December, only fading in the closing stages which suggests this trip will be more to her liking. Future Impact was rated much too high last season and the handicapper has relented a little with a 5lb drop.
Future Impact (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on one paced, 5th of 10, 9l behind Pirateer (9-2) at Gowran Park 1m 2yo hcp in Sep.
Old English (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Soon led, made rest, ridden over 1f out, just held on, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating City Legend (9-5) by shd, 13 ran.
Elusive Express (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Settled 3rd, challenged early straight, led narrowly 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Valbonne (8-11) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn fll pol in Dec.
Teriyaki (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden halfway, 2nd 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 8, 7l behind Foolproof (9-5) at Cork 6f 2yo hcp 50-80 gd in Aug.
Big Tex (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 8, 6l behind Suntan (8-13) at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp 60-90 gd in Jul.
Extra Steps (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Eternal Youth (7-12) at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp 50-75 pol in Oct.
Red Army Blues (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, 8th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Truly Genius (8-11) at Dundalk 6f 2yo mdn stks pol in Aug.
More Than A Lot (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Settled 3rd, ridden under 2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, last of 4, 11l behind Empowering (8-10) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn fll pol in Dec.
Solo Whisper (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 21l behind Loukoumi (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Beau Bunny (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, 5th before straight, no extra from 2f out, 9th of 14, 9l behind Colour Of Love (8-11) at Dundalk 7f hcp 50-70 2yo pol in Nov.
Late Debate (USA) 10-1 (8-9) Always behind, tailed off, last of 16, 50l behind Bendzoldan (8-5) at Fairyhouse 7f 2yo hcp 50-80 sft in Sep.
Big Bad Lily (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Raced 3rd, dropped to last and ridden 3f out, weakened, tailed off final furlong, last of 4, well behind Seville (8-10) at Tipperary 7f 2yo stk sft in Oct.
Princess Theophane (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) Never a factor, 10th of 13, 12l behind Bendzoldan (8-5) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp pol in Dec.
Lake Wanaka (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, effort on outer 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, last of 11, 21l behind Knock Stars (9-0) at Curragh 6f 2yo hcp 50-80 sft in Sep.
Celestial Flyer (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and no impression 2f out, 13th of 15, 12l behind Tom Sawyer (8-12) at Tipperary 5f 2yo mdn gd in Aug.
