towards rear, 6th 3f out, ridden in 5th on outer 2f out, no extra final furlong
always behind, no impression from over 2f out, never a factor
mid-division, closer in 4th on outer 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, still 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, went 2nd close home, just failed
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, never a factor
led, ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, no extra and dropped to 3rd close home
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 3f out, 3rd 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd and took keen hold early, ridden in 3rd 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure close home, all out
chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon no impression
STRONGER THAN ME completed a double initiated at Leopardstown when storming clear of Ringside Humour over an extended 1m2f two weeks ago. The runner-up has never raced over this trip but wasn't stopping and can get closer without reversing the form. Captain Carleton won over the track and trip in September and can operate from the same mark while Jan Van Eyck ran two very good races on Turf before marking his all-weather debut with a victory over the course and distance two weeks ago. The former Godolphin filly Bittern stepped up to this trip for the first time here three weeks ago and found only the shock winner Moonmeister too good so she can go well. Wither Hills has won over the course and distance and also over two miles here so a strong gallop would play to his strengths.
Stronger Than Me (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 2f out, travelled well to challenge 1 1/2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov beating Ringside Humour (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Space Ship 5-1 (9-10) Settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, last of 6, 10 1/4l behind Stronger Than Me (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Ringside Humour (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, stayed on into 2nd and drifted left under pressure 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Stronger Than Me (9-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Captain Carleton (IRE) 11-2fav (8-13) Slowly away, in rear, some progress in straight and 9th 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Moonmeister (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Sharjah (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Led, extended lead to 4 lengths 4f out, reduced advantage and edged right 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Taglietelle (9-10) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Wither Hills (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge 1f out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 3 3/4l behind Taglietelle (9-10) at Dundalk 2m hcp pol in Nov.
Bittern (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ran freely, 2nd halfway, led approaching straight, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Moonmeister (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov.
Jan Van Eyck (USA) 9-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, stayed on in 4th 1f out, kept on well to challenge inside final furlong and led last 50 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Nov beating Udogo (9-2) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
