chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, strongly pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
rear of mid-division, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
mid-division, pushed along and progress under 2f out, soon ridden, headway into 2nd on inner 1f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, 5th 1f out, no impression
mid-division, closer in 5th and ridden 2f out, soon no impression
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, still 4th 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden entering straight, weakened from 2f out
towards rear, ridden entering straight, no impression, never a factor
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd over 2f out, 3rd 1f out, no extra in 4th inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along on wide outer under 2f out, 8th 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on without threatening, never nearer
in rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, went 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening inside final furlong, never nearer
After beating Reckless Lad over the trip last month, POLITICAL POLICY stepped up in distance a few days later and defied a penalty. The assessor may have erred on the side of leniency in raising him just 4lb and a hat-trick beckons. Toccata Blue couldn't quite hold Reckless Lad early last month but collateral form gives him a fine chance of going one better, though Conor McGovern's claim could just swing things the way of the selection. Hes Our Music was conceding lumps of weight when beaten just over a length in that latter event and he is expected to go close under a promising apprentice but fourth-placed Bishan Bedi could never strike a blow. Strait Of Zanzibar completed a double here and at Laytown in September and though both victories were over 7f he's just as good over this trip. Spirit Of The Law won eight times in the UK and has dropped significantly in the ratings while Maontri has dropped to a mark she's capable of winning from and showed a bit more dash last week.
Hes Our Music (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, on terms from before straight, led over 1f out, pressed and joined final furlong, soon headed and kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Reckless Lad (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Rummaging (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, a little keen, pushed along 2f out, soon under pressure, no impression from over 1f out, soon no extra, last of 9, 5 1/4l behind Reckless Lad (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Bishan Bedi (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along on outer into straight, some headway over 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Reckless Lad (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Elusive Time (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Hunter's Light (9-0) at Meydan 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
Political Policy (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up, soon 9th, headway towards outer under pressure 2f out, 2nd under 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well, led close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov beating Brosnan (8-8) by nk, 11 ran.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 16-1 (9-8) Soon led, headed 2f out and soon ridden, no impression in 3rd 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Heavy Weight (8-4) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
Toccata Blue (IRE) 10-3fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, a little keen, pushed along into straight, challenged over 1f out, soon on terms, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on without quite matching winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Reckless Lad (8-4) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Spirit Of The Law (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Field Of Dream (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (6) pol in Nov.
Maontri (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Led, ridden 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Reckless Lad (9-10) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Ebasani (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Slightly awkward leaving stalls, held up, soon 8th, headway on inner approaching straight, not much room on rail and switched right 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Political Policy (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Great Wide Open (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Rear of mid-division, ran freely, 9th halfway, pushed along and 8th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Political Policy (9-2) at Dundalk 1m pol in Nov.
