slowly into stride, towards rear, some progress entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no impression
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd and no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders in 5th, ridden 2f out, no impression
chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 2f out, weakened
slowly away and always behind, pushed along and ran around briefly early, no impression straight, never a factor
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd 2f out, moderate 4th 1f out, no impression
chased leaders in 3rd, closer in 2nd travelling well 2f out, pushed along and led 1 1/2f out, ridden clear 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably
held up in 6th, pushed along 2f out, ridden and went 3rd 1 1/2f out, improved into 2nd inside final furlong, kept on well close home, not trouble winner
John McConnell's horses have been going well and Al Batal deserves a change of fortune after narrow defeats at Navan and the Curragh. However, PESHKOVA was having only her third start when finishing in front of him over an extra half-furlong last time and there doesn't appear any reason for a form reversal. This is no easy task as Sky Moon led for a long way over 6f here earlier this month and kept on when passed by the winner. Miss Florence had shown nothing in nine starts before a much better effort at Down Royal but Sabrina Fairchild is held by the selection on that latest Navan run.
Al Batal 9-2 (9-5) Prominent, disputed after 2f, narrow lead halfway, ridden 2f out, joined 1f out, narrowly headed final 150 yards, kept on close home, 3rd of 14, 1/4l behind Dapper Power (9-5) at Navan 6f mdn gd in Oct.
Sky Moon (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Led, ridden under 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Tintoretto (9-5) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Oct.
Kareless (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, 10th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Dapper Power (9-5) at Navan 6f mdn gd in Oct.
Kivatie (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Soon raced in 5th, not much room on inner over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 7, 7 1/2l behind Early Call (9-5) at Down Royal 5f mdn gd in Sep.
Madame Fair (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra 2f out, weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Indianapolis (9-5) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Jul.
Miss Florence 50-1 (9-1) Soon led, strongly pressed and headed over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Early Call (9-5) at Down Royal 5f mdn gd in Sep.
Peshkova (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outer, ridden to progress 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, challenged 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Dapper Power (9-5) at Navan 6f mdn gd in Oct.
Sabrina Fairchild (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders early, mid-division halfway, ridden into 6th 1 1/2f out, no extra 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Dapper Power (9-5) at Navan 6f mdn gd in Oct.
