chased leader in 2nd, close up from 5f out, ridden and disputed 3f out, led 2f out, kept on well final furlong
held up in rear early, 4th after 8f, 3rd 4f out, ridden and no impression on leaders 3f out, kept on one pace
led, clear briefly early, pressed from 5f out, travelled well and disputed 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra in 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up behind leaders in 3rd, ridden in 4th 4f out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace
held up behind leaders early, soon 4th, rear after 8f, ridden 5f out, no impression over 4f out
LISTEN DEAR had shown moderate ability before setting off in front at Downpatrick and coming home virtually alone. Willie Mullins' mare looks destined for bigger things and this should prove no problem. Captain Barbossa stayed on very gamely to catch Bertie Bell right on the line at Ballinrobe and has to be the main threat with improvement guaranteed. Winning point-to-pointer Three Oscars is likely to do better over further but Naturally Blond made an encouraging start at Limerick and should be winning soon.
Captain Barbossa (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up, 5th halfway, improved into close 2nd 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, under pressure in close 3rd 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led last strides, won at Ballinrobe 2m NH flat gd in May beating Bertie Bell (11-9) by shd, 7 ran.
Fleurys Fort (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, closer order when mistake 6th, no impression straight, soon no extra,, 6th of 17, 24l behind Supreme Benefit (10-12) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl gd in Jun.
Listen Dear (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Made all, went on from before halfway, soon well clear and in command, pushed out and stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f NH flat gd in Jun beating Touch A Million (12-0) by 37l, 11 ran.
Naturally Blond (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, soon 5th, dropped towards rear over 3f out and soon stumbled slightly, pushed along into straight, soon no impression, kept on again into 7th between horses 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong into 4th near line, 4th of 8, 7l behind Prickly (12-0) at Limerick 2m NH flat gd in May.
Three Oscars (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden in 8th 3f out, no impression 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 15, 8l behind Fu's Island (11-4) at Limerick 2m 4f mrs N H flat gd.
