slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, 8th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd close home, strongly pressed winner to line
chased leaders, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, always behind, never a factor
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened
mid-division, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, all out close home
rear of mid-division, weakened straight, never a factor
led, ridden and joined 2f out, led over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd close home
towards rear, took keen hold, ridden and progress 2f out, went 4th 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leader in 2nd, took keen hold, ridden in 3rd 2f out, weakened
chased leaders on inner, ridden entering straight, weakened
rear of mid-division on outer, pushed along in 8th 2f out, soon ridden, 5th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
towards rear, no impression straight, never a factor
Highly Approved gained his fourth track victory when dropping down to 6f in a claimer two weeks ago and is probably better over this trip. He finished 5 lengths behind Crystal Dawn previously and is no better off though the latter looked as though she was in the handicapper's grip next time. Eglish found 6f too short last week after scoring over this trip earlier though she could have been better drawn but it's about time NEVER BACK DOWN, the third of Ado McGuinness' runners, was winning again. He's on a long losing run but has been running well without quite getting there and Adam Farragher's claim puts him on his lowest ever mark. Bringloid didn't get the clearest of runs behind Eglish last time and can get closer
Crystal Dawn (IRE) 5-2fav (9-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Whatharm (10-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Highly Approved (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) A little awkward from stalls, soon tracked leaders, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden in 2nd 1f out, on terms 150 yards out, kept on well to just prevail final strides, won at Dundalk 6f pol in Nov beating Boitron (8-10) by hd, 12 ran.
Taggalo (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Raced near side, mid-division early, 11th after halfway, soon headway, kept on same pace final furlong, 16th of 18, 12 3/4l behind Sagittarius Rising (9-4) at Curragh 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Dark Kris (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Raced alone far side, prominent with centre group until approaching final furlong, weakened and soon eased, last of 11, 17 3/4l behind Turn To Rock (9-10) at Newmarket 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Eglish 2-1fav (10-7) Soon mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 1 1/2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Adams Barbour (8-10) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Homecoming (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Ediyva (9-2) at Dundalk 7f mdn pol in Nov.
Never Back Down (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on inner, 5th halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden and briefly 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and no impression 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Whatharm (10-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Ducky Mallon (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Soon led, raced near side, joined over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 8th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Sagittarius Rising (9-4) at Curragh 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Sondheim (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Dwelt, raced towards rear, 10th 3f out, no impression on leaders 1f out, soon ridden, one paced, never a factor, 10th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Pachmena (9-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Bringloid (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Chased leader, 6th 3f out, not much room behind horses under 2f out, ridden and kept on final 100 yards, not reach principals, 5th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Eglish (10-1) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Kellmar 25-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened, 10th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Breaking News (9-2) at Naas 6f mdn hvy in Nov.
Fascinating Spirit (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Reared slightly leaving stalls, soon chased leader, 4th 3f out, came wide entering straight, ridden under 2f out, no impression 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Guiding (9-3) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Oct.
My Lark (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Mid-division, no impression from 2f out, never a factor, 13th of 18, 7 1/4l behind Lady Savanah (8-13) at Leopardstown 1m hcp gf in Jun.
Strange Times (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Soon mid-division, 8th before halfway, headway towards inner straight, soon challenged, one pace over 1f out, 9th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Silver Service (10-0) at Leopardstown 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Oct.
