prominent, 2nd for much, not entirely fluent 2 out and no extra
waited with towards rear, dropped behind 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 5th after 3 out, dropped to moderate 6th and no extra from before straight, eased
waited with towards rear, closer in 6th after 3 out, went 2nd before straight, no impression under pressure run-in and soon dropped to 3rd
made all, pressed 2 out, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders, 3rd after 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra last
a little keen, soon mid-division, dropped to rear 4 out, trailing next, soon no danger in moderate 7th
tracked leaders, 4th after 3 out, ridden to go moderate 3rd from last, stayed on closing stages without reaching winner
The veteran FOSTERS CROSS is better known as a chaser but is still capable of scoring over timber at this level and will take all the beating. Rocky Wednesday had a run on the Flat during the week to blow the cobwebs away but could have done without a 7lb rise for scoring at Ballinrobe in April. Blacklough has had very little experience and produced an excellent handicap debut behind Fiery Oscar at Listowel last month so should get into the action. Maxim Gorky wasn't beaten too far in that latter event and has since run reasonably well in the Irish Cesarewitch.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 5 out, headed approaching straight, remained close up and left in front again 2 out, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind The Amarillo Kid (10-7) at Cork 2m gd.
Rocky Wednesday (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, 5th halfway, 4th after 4 out, close up after 3 out, close 2nd 2 out, travelled well to lead entering straight, not extended, won at Ballinrobe 2m hdl sft in Apr beating Byerley Babe (10-13) by 7l, 7 ran.
Blacklough (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to lead before straight, ridden and challenged 2 out, headed last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, just held 2nd, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Fiery Oscar (11-2) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl sft in Sep.
Maxim Gorky (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division early, 5th halfway, headway to challenge before straight, close up and mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 7th of 14, 8l behind Fiery Oscar (11-2) at Listowel 2m hcp hdl sft in Sep.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Towards rear, closer in moderate 8th after 3 out, moderate 6th and kept on same pace into straight, 6th of 14, 15l behind Liberty's Gift (10-11) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl gd.
Glen Beg (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th 4 out, soon ridden, no impression from before 2 out, 5th of 12, 43l behind Katys Girl (11-7) at Sligo 2m 1f beg chs sft.
Only Exception (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Waited with towards rear, never a factor, moderate 6th when pecked a bit at last, kept on run-in into moderate 5th close home, 5th of 7, 26l behind Que Pasa (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f nh nov hdl gf in Sep.
Holeinthewall Bar (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, improved to dispute lead 5 out, narrow leader before straight, soon ridden, headed before 2 out, soon switched to outer and no impression in 4th, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Devils Bride (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gd.
Just For Joe (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent, lost place approaching straight, soon no extra, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Byerley Babe (11-0) at Cork 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 in Mar.
