soon led, tended to jump a little right, pressed and joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, not quite match winner and kept on run-in
soon waited with in rear, plenty to do 5 out, some headway into straight, eased when beaten
waited with, moderate 6th and kept on same pace from before straight
soon tracked leaders, keen hold, 3rd before straight, kept on same pace in 4th from after 2 out
chased leaders, 5th before straight, challenged and on terms 2 out, led and big jump last, stayed on well under pressure run-in
prominent, challenged and slight mistake 3 out, on terms next, narrowly headed last, not match winner and kept on same pace run-in
soon chased leaders, closer in 4th before straight, kept on same pace under pressure in 5th from before 2 out, burst blood vessel
towards rear, moderate 7th before straight, soon no impression
prominent, niggled along 5 out, not fluent and weakened next, eased
Passage Vendome didn't enjoy very testing ground at Ballinrobe last month and is better judged on earlier efforts on quicker going where he looked promising. Prince Of Fire was beaten a long way at Galway but was badly hampered four out and the run should be ignored. He had been going well on the Flat previously and should do much better here, a remark that also applies to Giant's Quest. He had looked a bright prospect last season and was backed accordingly at Kilbeggan in May but made an early mistake and never threatened. DISTANT MEMORIES was Listed class on the Flat in the UK and has shown enough over timber to suggest he can go on to better things. A recent narrow defeat by Shadow Eile on the Flat at Galway will have put him straight and this should be within his capabilities.
Distant Memories (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up, mistake 4th, progress and not fluent 3 out, chased leaders but struggling from soon after 2 out, no impression when mistake last, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 12l behind Run With The Wind (11-5) at Ballinrobe 2m hdl gd in May.
Memories Of Milan (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Slowly away and always rear, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Whatever Jacksays (10-2) at Punchestown 3m Handicap Hurdle (95-130) (4yo+) hvy in Apr, 24 ran.
Mr Duffy (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, completely tailed off, 7th of 15, well behind Tinakellylad (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec '09.
Nearest The Pin (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, progress in 10th 4 out, soon no impression, 14th of 18, 18l behind Satu (9-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May.
Passage Vendome (FR) 11-10fav (11-8) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden in 3rd and no extra before last, soon eased, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Audrelles Lad (11-3) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hdl hvy in Jul.
Prince Of Fire (GER) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, badly hampered 4 out, soon lost position and eased, completely tailed off, 17th of 20, well behind Kalellshan (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Total Excitement (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 6th 5 out, no impression under pressure from before 2 out, ridden to chase winner last, kept on well without threatening run-in, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lend A Hand Son (11-12) at Tramore 2m beg chase gf in Jun.
Little Joe (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, keen hold to lead after 2f and wide, headed after 6f, regained lead 6f out, ridden and headed 3f out, no extra and weakened, 8th of 10, 49l behind Annie Power (11-2) at Galway 2m N H flat sft.
Wicker Park (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Behind for most, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Silver Chief (10-11) at Sligo 2m mdn hdl sft.
Giant's Quest (AUS) 6-4fav (11-12) Soon chased leaders, hampered a little and not fluent 4 out, soon struggling, moderate 5th and no extra approaching straight, kept on same pace, lame, 7th of 16, well behind Ballyadam Approach (11-4) at Killarney 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in May.
