tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, 6th entering straight, soon ridden, 4th 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 5th entering straight, soon ridden, 5th 2 out, no extra
held up in rear, progress into 2nd on outer entering straight, ridden from 2 out, no impression on winner from last
made all, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well from last
in rear, ridden and trailing 5 out, some progress under pressure straight, went moderate 5th from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders, 4th on inner entering straight, soon ridden and weakened
Pires won the opening race on this card a year ago and was lightly-raced subsequently. He ran well on his reappearance last season and has the beating of Satu on their run in a strong race at Listowel in September. Tom Cooper has been waiting for some decent ground for TOTAL EXCITEMENT, who has form in some top handicaps and was fourth behind Jigalo at the Punchestown Festival. He's very useful at this level and gets the vote over Cloone Rocket, who has been running well on the flat after a very long absence and looked a cracking hurdling prospect when scoring twice in the summer of 2008. Sherchanceit is up 6lbs for a head defeat by Cuchulains Son at Ballinrobe and that looks harsh.
Dolphin Bay (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden to go moderate 6th before last, stayed on well without reaching leaders run-in, 4th of 17, 2 1/4l behind Slieveardagh (10-6) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May.
Satu (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up, 6th 4 out, 5th under pressure after next, no impression from before 2 out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Knocknabooly (11-2) at Limerick 2m hdl sft in Apr.
Total Excitement (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Soon mid-division, improved into 5th into straight, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from last, 4th of 25, 4 1/2l behind Jigalo (10-5) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Apr.
Sherchanceit (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, improved to lead after 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, strongly pressed run-in, headed near finish, 2nd of 15, hd behind Cuchulains Son (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hdl gd in May.
Windix (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, well behind Castle Anshan (11-4) at Tipperary 2m hcp hdl 8Evens16 gf in Apr.
Amicus Curiae (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Shaimaa (9-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gs in Aug '08.
Take Me There 20-1 (11-4) Never a factor, pulled up after 6 out, in a race won by Isabellareine (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp hld 80-109 gd in Jun, 14 ran.
Cloone Rocket (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) 9th of 15, 17l behind Mudslinger (10-2) at Bellewstown 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Aug '08.
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.
Vinnes Friend (IRE) 10-3fav (10-12) Mistake 1st, towards rear, closer in 6th 3 out, soon no impression and no extra straight, 9th of 10, 32l behind Cothrom Na Feinne (11-1) at Roscommon 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 gf in Jun.
