towards rear, raced on outer, no impression straight
always towards rear, never a factor
soon mid-division, 8th early straight, 7th 2f out, dropped to 8th again and no extra 1f out
rear of mid-division,10th 2f out, soon no impression
soon chased leaders, 5th early straight, no impression under pressure in moderate 4th and kept on same pace from 1f out
in rear, some headway in 11th 2f out, ran on without threatening final furlong
pushed along towards rear early, soon mid-division, 7th early straight, 8th 2f out, soon no impression
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, 9th early straight, ridden to go moderate 6th 1f out, chased leaders and stayed on without threatening inside final furlong
soon tracked leaders, 4th and still travelling smoothly early straight, moderate 3rd and no impression under pressure 1f out, kept on same pace
pushed along towards rear early, soon chased leaders, 6th early straight, dropped to moderate 7th and kept on one pace from 1f out
led, joined from early straight, soon headed, dropped to moderate 5th and no extra 1f out
soon tracked leaders, 3rd early straight, challenged and on terms under 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
always prominent, on terms early straight, soon led, joined from under 2f out, headed and kept on same pace from 1f out
Dark Crusader didn't get going last season until stepped up to 1m3f so this looks way too short. Slipper Orchid has won four times at this specialist trip and though now on his highest mark there should be more to come judging on his victory at Dundalk. Akasaka has been going well at Dundalk and is rated 5lb lower on Turf but it's SHIPYARD who gets the nod. He hasn't raced over this trip but is improving judging on his run behind Srucahan at the Curragh last time. Zalty wasn't too far behind Slipper Orchid last time and has a chance while Intensical is at the right end of the handicap and scored over this trip at Roscommon last season.
Slipper Orchid (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden into 6th 2f out, closer 1f out, kept on well on inner final furlong to lead inside last 100 yards, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar beating Strait Of Zanzibar (8-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Dark Crusader (IRE) 5-4fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 9l behind Nichols Canyon (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Oct.
Six of Hearts 8-1 (9-7) Broke well and soon settled back to track leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along over 1f out and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Rummaging (9-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Akasaka (IRE) 11-8 (9-5) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden along and progress into 2nd entering straight, pressed winner 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Maontri (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4yo stk pol in Feb.
Zalty (FR) 7-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Slipper Orchid (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
Talitha Kum (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Prominent and led before halfway, headed 2f out and no extra in 5th 1f out, weakened, 7th of 12, 6l behind Sassaway (9-0) at Curragh 6f fll hcp gd in Aug.
Barack (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Dwelt and in rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, last of 10, 13l behind Captain Cullen (9-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Jan.
He's Got Rhythm (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, hampered 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, last of 7, 4l behind Queen Of The Sand (9-5) at Dundalk 1m 3yo stks pol in Nov.
Iron Major (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden in last on outer 2f out, still last 1f out, late headway inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Our Manekineko (9-5) at Dundalk 1m stks 0-85 pol.
Melvin The Grate (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Our Manekineko (9-5) at Dundalk 1m stks 0-85 pol.
Golden Shoe (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Prominent, 3rd and pushed along before straight, on terms under 2f out, dropped to 4th 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Equation Of Time (8-5) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Feb.
Cash Or Casualty (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and strongly pressed 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Hi Emperor (9-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp 0-75 pol.
Intensical (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden under 3f out, 5th 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 10, 18l behind Fly To The Moon (9-2) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp in Mar.
Lean And Keen (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Always prominent, improved to lead travelling well entering straight, ridden clear under 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m mdn stks pol beating Bosstime (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Shipyard (USA) 8-1 (9-8) Raced in near side group to halfway where 4th, 3rd under pressure 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 20, 3l behind Srucahan (9-13) at Curragh 6f hcp.
