held up, raced towards outer, moderate 5th 5 out, closed into 3rd entering straight, soon challenged, no impression and one pace closing stages
soon chased leaders, moderate 3rd when fell 6 out
soon led and clear, reduced lead and slightly slow jump last, soon pressed, stayed on well final furlong, headed close home
led early, soon chased leader in moderate 2nd, closer order last, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along briefly 6th, moderate 3rd 5 out, pushed along from 3 out, dropped to last into straight, no extra and eased closing stages
held up, tended to jump a little left and race towards outer, last 5 out, switched right towards inner approaching 2 out, closed into 5th into straight, progress and edged briefly right 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead close home
held up in rear, impeded 6 out, moderate 4th next, closed into 3rd at last, 4th into straight, no impression and one pace closing stages
The veteran Fosters Cross has been in superb form and followed his victory over Pires on this track with a convincing success in what looked a strong field at Ballinrobe. It will be a surprise if he's not involved in the finish while Cavite Beta looked a fine prospect on only his fourth start over fences when beating some decent rivals in a Killarney beginners' event. Boxer Beat is generally thereabouts but a career strike-rate of 1-61 is hardly a recommendation and though Coldstonesober arrives in winning form Saturday's victory at Navan was over hurdles and he's 12lb higher over fences. ELEGANT STATESMAN is still a maiden over the bigger obstacles but hasn't had much experience and is gradually getting the hang of the game if his latest run at the Festival is a guide so he's handed the vote in a tricky race.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 1st, improved to lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure from last, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f chs gf in Aug beating Enjoy Responsibly (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Muzak (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out where 6th, 5th approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace,, 4th of 14, 17l behind Fosters Cross (11-6) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs in Aug.
Dazzling Susie (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Led and disputed, slight mistake 1st, headed and ridden after 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 15, 44l behind Pass The Hat (10-7) at Killarney 2m 4f hcap ch gd in Aug.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) With leader, led 5 out, headed 2 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Falcarragh (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Aug.
Elegant Statesman (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, 4th halfway, 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression early run-in, no extra final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Aranhill Chief (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chase gd in Jul.
Coldstonesober (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Prominent, disputed lead 1st, soon headed, close up, on terms again 4 out, led into straight, asserted 2 out, stayed on well to maintain advantage run-in, won at Navan 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd beating Blue Ridge Lane (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mitebeall Forluck 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 7th halfway, mistake 5 out and soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Mahrajaan (9-13) at Killarney 2m 1f hcap ch gd in Jul.
Cavite Beta (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Soon led, slight mistake 3rd, headed before next, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden clear from next, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gd in Aug beating Il Fenomeno (11-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
