chased leaders, 6th halfway, progress under 2f out and challenged between horses over 1f out, led 150 yards out, pushed out and kept on well
led early, tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, under pressure and soon edged left, headed 150 yards out, no impression on winner
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace
reared and slowly away, in rear, 8th halfway, ridden in 7th and drifted right over 1f out, kept on one pace
soon led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
refused to race
tracked leaders, 3rd on outer halfway, ridden and no extra under 2f out, 6th over 1f out, kept on one pace
always towards rear, ran freely, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression in rear over 1f out, no extra
After a very good run behind Oscar Dominguez here Dashing Chief attracted good support on his next start but refused to race. The event was won by SPRUCE MEADOWS (NAP), who was making his handicap debut and having his first run since September. There looks certain to be more to come and he looks the one to be on. Drillmaster was just over a length away in third and though slightly better off at the weights the positions should be confirmed. Aidan O'Brien has three entries with Stone Mountain possibly the best of the. He's also lightly raced and though beaten on both starts to the track he's produced strong form and looks booked for a place.
Stone Mountain (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Prominent and led after 1 1/2f, headed 2f out, ridden in 3rd and bumped rail over 1f out, under pressure and edged right 150 yards out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Alphonsus (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Dec.
Spruce Meadows (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Chased leader in 2nd, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden, led 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan beating Dancing On Air (10-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Rateel (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Dwelt and in rear, never a factor, 11th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Kiss The Stars (8-7) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Jan.
Zig Zag (IRE) 2-1 (9-2) Settled behind leaders in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden on inner and attempting to challenge when briefly unbalanced over 1 1/2f out, squeezed for room 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on well closing stages without reaching winner, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Dodgybingo (9-7) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Ineffable (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden under 2f out and progress in 3rd 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Oscar Dominguez (9-10) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.
Drillmaster (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in touch in 5th, ridden in 5th 2f out, closer 5th on outer 1f out, kept on and went 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Spruce Meadows (9-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Dashing Chief (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Refused to race, at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Jan.
Northern Emperor (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Dwelt and always behind, never a factor, 11th of 13, 23l behind Roman Impero (9-5) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Jan.
Mixed Views (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and no impression straight, never a factor, last of 10, 17 1/4l behind More Than Munny (8-12) at Dundalk 6f pol in Jan.
