chased leaders early, dropped behind 6 out, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, close up in 5th on outer 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after next
tracked leaders, challenged travelling well from 3 out, disputed lead before 2 out, soon led, stayed on well under pressure to go clear run-in, comfortably
led, tended to jump left, strongly pressed 3 out, soon headed and no extra
mid-division, 6th approaching straight, soon no impression under pressure
soon mid-division, struggling after 4 out, soon no extra under pressure
prominent, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, 3rd from 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before last
mid-division, 7th approaching 6 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight
towards rear, some headway under pressure into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon towards rear, never a factor, pulled up before 6 out
towards rear, ridden into 7th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, closed to chase leaders 4 out, 4th next, no impression under pressure and kept on without troubling winner run-in
A decent turnout for this good prize and NORTHER BAY can come home with the spoils. Eoin Griffin's charge has only had three runs this year, falling at the last when upsides the winner at Fairyhouse in April, scoring from today's rival Armaramak at Listowel in June, and finishing a very good second to Truckers Delight at Galway. Not surprisingly he's shot up the weights but is on an upward curve and can go in again. Francis Du Mesnil has been in very consistent form and appears at the bottom of this handicap but hasn't won for two years and only twice in his career. Royal Choice is another who hasn't won for a while but his turn looks near judged on a very good run behind Takeyourcapoff at Tramore. The lightly-raced Big Dano is the type to improve and doesn't look overburdened on only his fourth start over regualtion fences.
Back Of The Pack (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, niggled along from before 3 out, dropped to 4th approaching next, soon no impression, 6th of 14, 8l behind Coosan Belle (10-10) at Tramore 2m 5f hcp hdl 80-102 gf.
Norther Bay (FR) 11-1 (9-7) Close up, led approaching 6th, strongly pressed into straight, headed and kept on same pace from 1f out, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Truckers Delight (9-9) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Armaramak (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 7th after last, kept on same pace without threatening under pressure, 4th of 13, 10l behind Truckers Delight (9-9) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Got Attitude (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Soon led, jumped left, headed approaching 8th, chased leader after until left in front and clear 5 out, still clear when jumped left again 2 out and slipped up soon after, in a race won by Another Ambition (10-5) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul, 20 ran.
King High (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Soon raced in moderate 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 6l behind Takeyourcapoff (11-1) at Tramore 2m hdl gf.
Valain (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 6th, ridden and dropped to 3rd after 4 out, no impression in 3rd straight, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Oneeightofamile (10-10) at Cork 2m 2f hdl gd.
Save My Blushes 20-1 (11-5) Soon tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, 5th next, kept on same pace from before 2 out, 7th of 17, 16l behind Bobby John (10-1) at Galway 2m 2f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Jul.
Swift Counsel (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, challenged when not as quick as leader 3 out, no extra next, 5th of 7, 23l behind Sebadee (11-7) at Tramore 2m 6f chs gf.
Banna Man (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, closed into 2nd 2 out, 3rd after last, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 22l behind Truckers Delight (9-9) at Galway 2m 1f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Big Dano (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear, closer in moderate 7th approaching straight, kept on same pace under pressure without threatening from before 2 out, 4th of 11, 13l behind Eagle's Pass (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in Jul.
Kings Advocate (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Ld until hdd aftr 3out, wknd qckly from 2out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Castle Lake (11-9) at Lisronagh 4m ire ptp gf in Apr.
Battlefront (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Soon mid-division, moderate 7th after 4 out, moderate 8th approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 18l behind Eagle's Pass (11-5) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd in Jul.
Benalma (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Mid-division, moderate 6th 6 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 20, 26l behind Another Ambition (10-5) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Francis Du Mesnil (FR) 6-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway in 4th 4 out, 3rd 3 out, jumped into 2nd 2 out, travelled well before last where challenged, ridden in 2nd and no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Wins Now (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs gd.
Royal Choice (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led and soon clear, reduced lead from 6th, pressed from before 2 out, marginally headed last where mistake, no extra and kept on same pace after, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Takeyourcapoff (11-1) at Tramore 2m hdl gf.