held up, 7th approaching halfway, switched right under 2f out, went moderate 3rd 1f out, stayed on without threatening winner inside final furlong
soon disputed lead, headed after 2f, 2nd approaching halfway, pushed along over 2f out, dropped to moderate 8th 1f out, one pace
soon close up, 3rd approaching halfway, under pressure over 2f out, dropped to moderate 6th 1f out, one pace
soon towards rear, last approaching halfway where pushed along and raced on outer, went moderate 4th 1f out, stayed on without threatening winner inside final furlong
disputed lead briefly early, 6th approaching halfway, dropped to moderate 9th 1f out, one pace
soon towards rear, 9th approaching halfway, went moderate 5th 1f out, soon no impression, kept on
held up, 8th approaching halfway, soon pushed along on outer, dropped to rear and behind from over 1f out, eased
towards rear early, took keen hold and soon tracked leaders, 4th approaching halfway, under pressure over 2f out, dropped to moderate 7th 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, 5th approaching halfway, soon pushed along, went moderate 2nd 1f out, one pace final furlong
None of these have ever won on this unique beach track. Above The Law has won three times on Polytrack at Dundalk and is just 3lb higher than his last victory so Sean Corby's claim suggests he's well handicapped. Doonard Prince began the year on a mark of 49 but is now 19lb higher after three victories, though Pat Smullen is an intriguing booking. Lancashire-based handler Richard Ford sends Seamster for this and it looks a shrewd move as the seven-year-old completed a Polytrack double during the summer and can run here from a 10lb lower mark than on Turf. Decision By One won a Class 4 handicap at Ffos Las for David Evans in June and is just 1lb higher but a chance is taken on SCATTY CAT. He hasn't won since his two-year-old days and has been absent for almost a year but he's competed at a much higher level than this and has dropped to a mark his shrewd handler can take advantage of. Neither Shabra Emperor not City Of Culture can be dismissed in a tricky opener.
City Of Culture (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Fly leapt leaving stalls, raced in 4th, pushed along under 2f out, rider dropped whip over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Suburban Sky (8-3) at Cork 5f app hcap in Aug.
Elusive In Paris (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Mid-division, 9th 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 16, 23l behind Table Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m hcp gf in Jun.
Above The Law (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed entering straight, weakened from 1 1/2f out, last of 5, 11l behind Prince Connoisseur (9-3) at Dundalk 5f 3yo stks pol in Aug.
Doonard Prince (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out where 7th, 8th and one pace from 1f out, 8th of 14, 5l behind Doc Holliday (9-8) at Curragh 7f app hcp 60-80 gd in Aug.
Ask Dad 25-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 6l behind Greek Canyon (9-10) at Fairyhouse 6f hcp gf in Jul.
Connacht Council (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th and no impression over 2f out, no extra 1f out, 10th of 18, 15l behind Cairdiuil (9-9) at Galway 1m hcp 50-70 gd in Jul.
Scatty Cat (IRE) 16-1 (8-0) Dwelt, in rear early, soon prominent, 4th over 1f out, soon no impression, 9th of 13, 8l behind More Questions (8-8) at Navan 5f App hcp sft in Oct.
Seamster 11-2 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Emjayem (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) in Aug.
Decision By One 10-1 (9-6) Reared up in stalls, soon raced in 5th, chased leaders on outer 2f out, 6th 1f out and no impression, one pace, 5th of 10, 7l behind Calm Bay (9-9) at Bellewstown 5f hcp 47-70 sft in Aug.
Shabra Emperor (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression, never a factor, last of 14, 28l behind Moonmeister (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp 50-70 pol in Aug.
