held up in rear, moderate 8th and effort 2 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, no impression
tracked leaders, 5th 3 out, closer in 2nd next, ridden after last, weakened entering straight
mid-division, 6th 3 out, 4th on wide outer next, soon ridden, 3rd entering straight, went 2nd without threatening winner final furlong
prominent, improved to dispute lead 4 out, led from next, ridden and strongly pressed at last, headed entering straight, dropped to 3rd and no extra final furlong
prominent, disputed lead 4 out, headed next, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, slight mistake 3rd, ridden 4 out, slight mistake next, no impression from before 2 out
mid-division, closer in 4th on inner 3 out, ridden in 3rd after last, no extra in 4th entering straight
led, joined and ridden 4 out, headed next, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, headway from 3 out, 4th next, ridden after last, progress to lead entering straight, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
mid-division, bad mistake 5 out, no impression after 3 out, weakened
The last three winners have carried 10st or less and BALLYFINBOY can continue the trend. He was having just his fourth start over fences when making Slieveardagh pull out all the stops at Tipperary and in that kind of form will take all the beating. Pires has an obvious chance for the Martin/Walsh team and he remains a class act over both hurdles and fences. He's better handicapped over the smaller obstacles, though only 2lb higher than when a close third in a top handicap at Punchestown in February. Toner D'Oudairies has won once in 10 starts over fences but has been tackling strong novice company, though last year's winner Paddy O'Dee is better handicapped over hurdles.
Pires 7-4fav (11-0) Waited with towards rear, improved into 3rd 2 out, soon in pursuit of winner, kept on well under pressure run-in, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 8, shd behind Knockcroghery (10-11) at Limerick 2m hdl 0-123 gf in Jul.
Uncle Tom Cobley (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Prominent, in front when not fluent 4th, joined before straight, headed and no extra from before 2 out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Knockcroghery (10-11) at Limerick 2m hdl 0-123 gf in Jul.
Darenjan (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Waited with, no impression 3 out, 12th of 18, 30l behind Johannisberger (10-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Jun.
Toner D'Oudairies (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden in 3rd 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, 4th of 8, 23l behind Rebel Fitz (11-5) at Killarney 2m 6f nov chs gf in Jul.
Rubert (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Waited with, no extra and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by House Rules (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs gd in May, 17 ran.
Tabhachtach (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Towards rear for most, no impression and kept on same pace from before 3 out, 9th of 15, 38l behind Annie Other (11-3) at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gf in Jun.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th and no impression after 4 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 38l behind Sizing Italy (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gf in Jul.
Paddy O Dee 9-1 (11-4) Led until headed before halfway, chased leader in 2nd until dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra in 5th early run-in and lost 2 further places, 7th of 10, 14l behind Oscar Wings (9-10) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Jul.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway in 8th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, 2nd last, disputed run-in, just 2nd at line, 2nd of 12, ns behind Slieveardagh (11-4) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs gf in Jul.
Steeltown (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, 8th halfway, slight mistake 6 out, ridden 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 38l behind Sizing Symphony (11-12) at Tipperary 2m 4f beg chs gf in Jul.
