mid-division, progress 2f out, 3rd 1 1/2f out, ridden to dispute 2nd 1f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, narrow lead final 100 yards, kept on well close home
chased leaders, moderate 4th halfway, closer but ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out
chased leaders, moderate 2nd after 3f, closed 2 1/2f out, led under 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace
chased leaders, moderate 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, no extra 2f out
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer but ridden 2f out, soon no impression, no extra over 1f out
mid-division best, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, not clear run 1 1/2f out, switched right, kept on into 7th 1f out, one paced final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and progress under 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led, clear after 3f, reduced advantage 2 1/2f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, soon no extra
always rear, trailing 4f out, never a factor
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, progress under 2f out, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, disputed 2nd 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
settled behind leaders, moderate 6th halfway, closer 2f out, ridden into 2nd 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace
soon mid-division, ridden towards rear 3f out, soon no impression
Pat Smullen has some good rides tonight on his return from Dubai including John Honeyman here. Still a maiden after eight starts, he was sent to Wolverhampton last time and ran a bit better under an apprentice so has to be respected. Nimitz is also a maiden after 13 starts though he's rarely beaten far and should be thereabouts again but those who saw No Way Jack finish a close third behind California Lad three weeks ago will probably want to be on him here. However, his career strike-rate is 1-49 and he's never won on the all-weather so he's swerved as is Multiviz, who caught the eye in that same race but is 0-26. EASY BOY is another who doesn't win very often but he's been running well enough over 1m4f where he's travelled well up to tonight's trip. He gets the vote in what looks a tricky handicap.
Nimitz (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, effort going between horses and bumped 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Pivotal Connection (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec.
Asian Wing (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride and pushed along early, in rear, some headway on outer over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, never a factor, 7th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Indian Tomahawk (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
John Honeyman (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Prominent, not much room after about 1f, every chance over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Rock Icon (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Ineffable (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, soon lost place and one pace straight, 11th of 26, 23 1/2l behind Sparky Stowaway (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Starlite Sienna (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Mid-division, pushed along and some headway in 4th 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Indian Tomahawk (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Timmone (IRE) 100-1 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along under 2f out and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 10l behind Zaofu (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f mdn pol in Jan.
No Way Jack (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Rear of mid-division, travelled well and headway early straight, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, nk behind California Lad (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Easy Boy (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, travelled well and some headway entering straight, ridden under 2f out and went 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 4l behind Bog War (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Cristal Icon (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Rear of mid-division, some headway on inner 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 10 3/4l behind California Lad (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Alhellal (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Pushed along early and tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden entering straight and soon no extra, eased final furlong, last of 14, 33 1/4l behind Bog War (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Hughies Bay (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Raced in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden in detached 8th from 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Ministerforsport (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Lizard Point (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) A little keen, soon raced in 7th, switched left over 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Repare Mon (9-3) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Dec.
Multiviz 20-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden and no impression early straight, kept on one pace on outer from over 1f out, never a factor, 7th of 14, 6 1/4l behind California Lad (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Jan.
Rive Normande (FR) 20-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression 2f out, no extra, kept on one pace, 12th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Carvelas (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
Jock Talk (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Breaking Free (8-13) at Southwell 1m mdn hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Fianchetto (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Rear of mid-division, pushed along early, ridden entering straight, no impression, last of 14, 22 3/4l behind No Approval (9-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Fairy Flute (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never a factor, 8th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Carvelas (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Jan.
