settled behind leaders, moderate 4th halfway, ridden into 2nd and closed 1 1/2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong
led, headed after 2 1/2f, moderate 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra from 1f out
chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out
dwelt slightly and towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on on outer 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, just held for 2nd
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on into 5th 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, just held 2nd close home
settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
held up, ridden in 6th 2f out, closer 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
saddled slipped early, led after 2 1/2f, soon clear, ridden and reduced advantage 1 1/2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened
Settle For Bay has been raised 12lb for completing a course and distance hat-trick last month where he had Ishebayorgrey over 3l behind. The latter, who won for the ninth time when dropped back to 7f last week, is 5lb better off so should get closer without reversing the form. ALCATRAZ was third in that latter event after finding the trip too short and should be gaining his first victory for new connections before long so gets the nod. Sheisdiesel, who finished a close fourth, was also staying on at the finish and will find this trip more to her liking. Reckless Lad finished behind Settle For Bay twice before landing a claimer, his second in recent weeks, and that appears to be his level nowadays. Red Avenger completed a hat-trick around this time a year ago but has failed to take advantage of a falling mark while Coherent hasn't progressed since scoring at Wolverhampton as a juvenile and has been running poorly over hurdles.
Settle For Bay (FR) 10-3 (9-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to dispute over 2f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, drifted right 1f out, kept on strongly closing stages, eased close home, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Dec beating Ishebayorgrey (9-5) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Secret Wizard (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 5 3/4l behind Captain Joy (9-2) at Dundalk 1m pol in Jan.
Queensbrydge 33-1 (9-8) Rear of mid-division, some headway on inner early straight, ridden over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Ishebayorgrey (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Ishebayorgrey (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, kept on well, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan beating Grey Danube (9-10) by 1l, 12 ran.
Red Avenger (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, never a factor, ridden and no extra under 2f out, 13th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Invincible Ryker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Alcatraz (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Slowly away, towards rear, ridden under 2f out and 8th over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well between horses inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Ishebayorgrey (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Reckless Lad (IRE) 9-2cfav (10-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, travelled well to dispute 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m pol in Jan beating Six Silver Lane (9-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sheisdiesel 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Ishebayorgrey (9-0) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Coherent (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Soon mid-division, no extra from before straight, 21st of 26, dist behind Sparky Stowaway (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Dec.
