chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, weakened
led, ridden under 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on in 2nd final furlong
towards rear, progress entering straight, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression
mid-division on inner, ridden entering straight, went moderate 4th over 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, improved into 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
mid-division, ridden in 8th 2f out, no impression
in rear, ridden and closer in 7th 2f out, 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong
chased leaders on outer, ridden entering straight, weakened
slowly into stride and ridden in rear early, no impression straight, never a factor
chased leaders on inner, ridden entering straight, weakened
dwelt, rear of mid-division on outer, 9th and pushed along on outer 2f out, soon ridden, went moderate 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
James McAuley has four entries here with Big Challenge, an acquisition from Godolphin, easily the top rated of the field having won at Nottingham on his debut and been placed several times on Polytrack. He hasn't run since January last year but Sam Ewing's claim is a major plus. Robert Guiscard, another from the yard, scored at Bath for Mark Johnston and was generally very consistent but course winner Kuwait Direction was beaten four lengths behind KENDRED SOUL three weeks ago and the winner ran even better in a handicap a week later so could get back to winning ways. Atlas is always capable of a good run here though has only won once in 18 starts on the track while three-times course winner Sunset Nova has a bit to find on official ratings.
Kuwait Direction (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Rear of mid-division towards outer, pushed along 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 4l behind Kendred Soul (9-11) at Dundalk 6f pol in Mar.
Sunset Nova (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) Prominent, soon 3rd, effort from after halfway, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 20, 3 1/4l behind Cyrus Dallin (10-7) at Curragh 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Atlas (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, disputed 9th halfway, soon headway and effort, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 20, 5 1/2l behind Cyrus Dallin (10-7) at Curragh 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Haayem (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Dwelt, soon mid-division and raced in moderate 8th, pushed along to close from before straight, soon effort, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Approach The City (10-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Mar.
Kendred Soul (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Soon tracked leader, 3rd before halfway, led narrowly over 2f out, edged right and bumped rival under 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on, edged right final 100 yards, not match winner, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Jered Maddox (9-10) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Mar.
Lilandra (FR) 6-1 (9-11) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, progress and every chance over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Kendred Soul (9-11) at Dundalk 6f pol in Mar.
Mulzamm (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Soon mid-division, 8th 3f out, soon no impression, 17th of 20, 25 3/4l behind Starting Monday (10-1) at Curragh 1m hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Perfect Simplicity (IRE) 100-1 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along in 10th from halfway, no impression from over 2f out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Miss Molly T (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f mdn fll Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Robert Guiscard (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Ilalliqa (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Strategic Fortune (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, never a factor, 13th of 18, 31l behind Tyrion's Dream (9-1) at Curragh 7f hcp hvy in Nov.
Zahee (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Waited with, disputed 12th halfway, soon some headway, one pace over 1f out, 13th of 20, 11 3/4l behind Cyrus Dallin (10-7) at Curragh 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Big Challenge (IRE) (9-6) 6th of 16, 7 1/2l behind Franz Kafka (9-1) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Jan.
Guiding (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division on inner, ridden entering straight, weakened, last of 14, 7 3/4l behind Sister Lola (9-9) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.
