tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden from next, weakened
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, 3rd when slight mistake at last, no extra run-in
took keen hold and soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to dispute lead after 3 out, led after last, kept on well run-in, headed close home
held up in rear, ridden in last from 3 out, no impression
led, headed and ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly
held up in touch, 6th 3 out, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, 4th at last, ran on strongly close home to lead near line
held up in rear, ridden in 7th 3 out, 5th 2 out, 5th at last, kept on without threatening run-in
An excellent turnout for the money. After beating tonight's rival Norther Bay at Wexford, Far Away So Close couldn't cope with Laganbank at Tipperary and looks held by Willie Mullins' charge, who didn't run badly in the Galway Plate subsequently. Tribes And Banner also beat Far Away So Close at Punchestown in May and scored over hurdles at Killarney last month so he should go close. It's almost two years since Beau Michael ran over fences but he's been winning on the Flat and over timber so shouldn't be dismissed though it's about time PIRES was winning again. Tony Martin's charge is extremely versatile and has won three times over fences - his best effort came when third in a very tough handicap at Punchestown in February. The promising False Economy ran well behind Ted Veale on the Flat last week and that should have put him straight.
Far Away So Close (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, close up and pressed from halfway, disputed 4 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, 3rd and mistake 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 15l behind Laganbank (11-10) at Tipperary 2m 1f chs gf in Jul.
Laganbank (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, some headway approaching 2 out where slight mistake in 9th, no impression run-in and kept on one pace, 8th of 22, 23l behind Carlingford Lough (10-7) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs sft in Jul.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, a bit slow 4 out, travelled well to get on terms next, soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gf in Jul beating Anoosou (9-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
False Economy (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Held up, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th and no impression entering straight, left 3rd 2 out, no impression and fell last, in a race won by Down In Neworleans (11-8) at Limerick 2m 3f chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Oct, 7 ran.
Norther Bay (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Soon led, ridden and headed after 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, kept on one pace, drifted right on to rail run-in (finished 3rd but demoted to 4th), in a race won by Double Seven (11-6) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs gd, 11 ran.
Pires 7-2fav (11-10) Held up in rear, moderate 8th and effort 2 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression, 5th of 10, 16l behind Ballyfinboy (9-13) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs sft.
Usa (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Waited with, closer order from after 5 out, moderate 8th before 2 out, soon no extra, eased run-in, tailed off, 17th of 20, well behind Aladdins Cave (10-13) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Fantastic Gold 12-1 (10-9) Chased clear leader in 2nd, closer 4 out, driven along and dropped to 5th before 2 out, no extra, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Diplomat (10-10) at Sligo 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
Beau Michael 7-2 (11-6) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, moderate 5th and no extra 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Rocky Wednesday (11-6) at Ballinrobe 2m hdl sft in Apr.
