Bashkirov tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, led 1 1/2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, easily

Mourad slowly into stride, raced mainly in 5th, ridden in 4th 3f out, kept on under pressure into 3rd 2f out, 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner

Claudio chased leader in 2nd, ridden to challenge 3f out, led 2 1/2f out, ridden and challenged 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra, kept on one pace

Rajik chased leaders in 4th, ridden 4f out, 5th and no extra 3f out, kept on one pace

Ionisphere led, ridden and headed 2 1/2f out, soon weakened

Raaqia soon behind, trailing after 3f, soon completely tailed off

The 82-rated BASHKIROV, tailed off in the Vodafone Derby in which he played a pacemaking role, had shown enough ability previously to give him a big chance here and he duly prevailed, getting off the mark at the sixth attempt. He raced behind the leading pair before beginning his effort over 2f out and once he hit the front one and a half furlongs down there was never much doubt about the outcome. He was pushed clear inside the final furlong and won unchallenged.

Mourad, runner-up to a hotpot over 1m4f on his debut at Roscommon, has a pedigree which suggested that this drop in trip could be a problem for him. Held up, he was ridden along 3f out and, while he stayed on to go second inside the furlong, he never threatened the winner and wasn't given a hard time of it when defeat was inevitable.

Rajik, fifth in a 7f maiden at Leopardstown in October on his only previous start and having his first run for Charlie Swan was being ridden along fully 4f out and was unable to make any impression thereafter.

Ionisphere, behind Claudio at the Curragh on his debut two weeks previously, made the running until under 3f out before dropping away quickly.

Raaqia was soon trailing and it was later reported that his saddle had slipped. (TOH)

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