prominent, disputed lead briefly 4th, 2nd and ridden after 4 out, 3rd next, 5th and no extra after 2 out
led, joined briefly 4th, strongly pressed 3 out, soon headed, 4th and no extra from before last
held up in touch, 6th halfway, progress into 4th briefly after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in touch, 6th 5 out, smooth progress 3 out, 2nd travelling best 2 out, led approaching last, ridden clear, comfortably
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge on inner 3 out, soon led, strongly pressed next, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, 6th and progress 3 out, 4th on outer next, kept on from last
tracked leaders in 5th, lost place after 4 out, eased after next, tailed off
2nd early, slight mistake 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
PIRES has won just once over timber but has produced some useful performances in defeat and will have been sharpened by a recent run on the level at Haydock. He faces a tough task against the talented Auenschutze though the latter, who has scored just once in 16 starts over hurdles, has a nasty habit of finding one too good. Hasaratan was a long way behind Auenschutze at Down Royal in June but improved dramatically to run Ballyadam Brook close at Killarney and is open to much more progress. After beating Final Day in emphatic style at Tipperary, Stakers proved disappointing behind Fearnwood Girl at Sligo and may be best on very fast going.
Auenschutze (GER) 5-2 (11-7) Raced 2nd virtually throughout, ridden from 3 out, disputed lead briefly next, no impression on winner from last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Star Wood (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd.
Hasaratan (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd 4 out, ridden from 3 out, slight mistake next, no impression on easy winner before last, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Ballyadam Brook (11-6) at Killarney 2m 1f nh nov hdl gf in Jul.
Jowango (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Soon settled well off pace towards rear, no impression under pressure approaching 2 out, 6th of 7, 38l behind Ballyadam Brook (11-12) at Galway 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
Pires 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, headway in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd before straight, improved to challenge 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on run-in to press winner, just held, 2nd of 18, hd behind Next Week (11-0) at Listowel 2m nh nov hdl gd in Sep.
Hamalka (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Took keen hold early and tracked leaders in 3rd on outer, ridden from 3 out, weakened, 5th of 6, 23l behind Star Wood (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gd.
Miss Fancy Pants 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, no impression under pressure from before 2 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Won In The Dark (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4yo hdl gs in Apr '08.
Royalfolie (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, 4th after 4 out, quickly no extra and pulled up after next, in a race won by Persian Gayle (11-4) at Wexford 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Jul, 15 ran.
Nordic Hawk (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Jumped slowly early, soon behind, never a factor, last of 8, 46l behind Save My Blushes (10-13) at Roscommon 2m 4yo hdl gf.
Stakers (NZ) 6-4fav (11-7) Settled in moderate 2nd, some progress approaching 2 out, ridden entering straight, no impression from last, one pace run-in, 4th of 8, 8l behind Fearnwood Girl (10-10) at Sligo 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
