led, ridden from 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden straight, 3rd under 2f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, ridden in 5th over 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon 2nd, strongly pressed leaded over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, kept on well, all out
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon no extra
slowly into stride and towards rear, headway on outer from halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on without threatening in 3rd final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 4th over 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 3f out
mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden straight, kept on without threatening to go moderate 4th close home
mid-division, 8th entering straight, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, no impression from 3f out
always towards rear
always towards rear
mid-division, weakened from 3f out
chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
After touching off Murtagh at Dundalk, FORCE OF HABIT went to Punchestown as a hot favourite for a 'novelty' event but couldn't quite get to grips with the front pair. Pat Smullen is back on board tonight and losses can be recouped. Connyella finally lost her maiden tag when encountering fast ground at Gowran and a 6lbs rise shouldn't prevent another big effort but Mad Existence rarely runs on turf these days and her best form is on polytrack. Fascinating Paddy is another who does best on an artificial surface but Born To Excel is on the upgrade and will make a bold bid to defy a big weight after a short-head defeat by Thistimesforgood at Killarney.
Born To Excel 13-2 (9-4) Towards rear, progress on inner from 2f out, ridden in moderate 4th 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Thistimesforgood (9-3) at Killarney 1m hcp 47-60 gd in May.
Perfect Buttons (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden in 11th 1f out, no impression final furlong, 11th of 23, 11l behind Good Time Sue (9-2) at Curragh 7f Apprentice Handicap (50-80) (3yo+) in Aug.
Secretariat's Soul (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, some late headway, 7th of 14, 6l behind Not To Know (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-60 pol in May.
Force Of Habit 7-4fav (12-3) 3rd of 24, 1 1/2l behind Prospectorous (12-3) at Punchestown 1m 7f stks gd in Apr.
Rouvres Girl (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 9l behind Appletreemagic (9-1) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 0-60 pol in Apr.
The Last Stand 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, weakened from early straight, last of 14, 18l behind Lord Kenmare (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp 47-65 pol in Sep.
Connyella (IRE) 7-1fav (8-11) Soon in rear, pushed along halfway, moderate 13th 3f out, headway on outer straight, 4th 1/1f out, led under 1f out, kept on well, won at Gowran Park 1m 1f app hcp 47-60 gf in May beating Dusty Trail (9-3) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Coolnaharan (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, 4th for much, weakened straight, 24th of 25, well behind Leah Claire (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f stks in May.
Soldier Of Mercy (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 14, 39l behind Second Glance (9-2) at Sligo 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Sep.
Denny Crane 50-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 44l behind The Bull Hayes (9-0) at Navan 1m 2f mdn stks gd in Apr '09.
Finan's Well (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, hampered and lost place entering straight, no extra, 11th of 14, 13l behind Not To Know (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-60 pol in May.
Quilca (USA) 12-1 (8-4) Mid-division, 8th halfway, no impression straight, 9th of 15, 20l behind Redzer Gazgoff (9-6) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 50-70 gd in Apr.
Client Account (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Towards rear, stayed on without threatening straight, 6th of 15, 13l behind Redzer Gazgoff (9-6) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp 50-70 gd in Apr.
Fascinating Paddy (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outer early straight, 3rd and challenging when edged left under 1f out, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Not To Know (8-11) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-60 pol in May.
Annalast (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened from 3f out, 14th of 18, 14l behind One Of Three (8-12) at Cork 7f hcp 47-60 gf in Apr.
Cloigin Gorm (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 9th halfway, weakened 4f out, eased straight, 17th of 18, well behind Ionisphere (9-1) at Tipperary 1m 4f hcp 47-60 in Apr.
Mad Existence (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd travelling well 3f out, led early straight, soon strongly pressed, headed 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind View From The Top (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-60 pol in May.
Word For Word (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th entering straight, no impression from 2f out, 5th of 13, 3l behind Musical Review (9-6) at Cork 1m hcp 47-60 hvy in Apr.
Acclaim For Gold (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Keen hold, soon settled in mid-division, 9th over 3f out, soon no impression under pressure, 9th of 15, 10l behind Vaporetto (8-10) at Ballinrobe 1m 1f app hcp 47-65 gf in Jun '09.
Dorset Square (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden in 10th 4f out, soon no impression, 14th of 16, 32l behind Celtic Soprano (9-3) at Wexford 1m 6f hcp 47-65 in Jul.
Highland Brave (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up in rear, progress over 3f out, 4th 1f out, kept on, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind View From The Top (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp 47-60 pol in May.
