chased leaders, well off pace, struggling in 7th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
chased leaders, well off pace, lost place from before 3 out, 9th approaching straight, kept on
soon well off pace in mid-division, closed from before 3 out, 3rd approaching straight, soon challenged, no extra after 2 out, kept on same pace
soon well off pace in mid-division, closer in 4th from before 3 out, challenged from before next and soon on terms, headed and no impression from after 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, well off pace, slight mistake 6 out, soon struggling, 10th and no impression approaching straight
chased leader, clear of remainder, some slight mistakes, closed from before 3 out, led into straight, soon pressed and joined, headed and no extra from 2 out, kept on same pace
well off pace towards rear, closer in 6th approaching straight, chased winner but no impression under pressure run-in, kept on
soon well off pace in mid-division, ridden into closer 8th approaching straight, chased leaders and no impression from before last, kept on run-in
always towards rear, no impression 5 out
led and clear, some slight mistakes, reduced lead approaching straight, soon headed and weakened
towards rear, mistake 6 out, soon no impression
soon chased leaders, well off pace, closer in 5th approaching straight, led travelling well after 2 out, eased on run-in
A much better turnout than the prize justifies. The very versatile Pires has won just five times in 44 starts but has run some excellent races in defeat and must be considered but veteran Dancing Tornado is probably high enough in the ratings over timber nowadays and is likely to be warming up for another crack at the Galway Plate. Anshan Dreams has won twice over hurdles but ran poorly when tried over fences at Tipperary while useful hurdler Perfect Smile appears to have been affected by a poor effort over fences at Fairyhouse as he ran poorly back over timber at Cork last time. Star Of Aragon wouldn't want the ground too soft nor would the in-form Clarach, who followed her hurdles victory at Sligo with another on the Flat at Tramore, both on quick going. SATU arrives in cracking form with victories at Cork and Killarney interspersed with an even better effort in a tough Punchestown handicap and he looks the one to be on in an open contest.
Nodelay (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened entering straight, 18th of 21, 33l behind He's Our Man (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in May.
Anshan Dreams 9-2 (10-13) Waited with, poor 5th approaching 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 7, well behind Alpine Eagle (10-13) at Tipperary 2m 1f chs sft in Jun.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Soon mid-division, progress going well to track leaders from 3 out, led next and soon attempted to assert, slight mistake last, kept on well run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Battling Boru (11-10) at Sligo 2m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in May.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 15th of 16, 39l behind Ainama (10-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp chs gs in Jun.
Hunting Tower 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden entering straight, 5th last, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 5th of 21, 5l behind He's Our Man (11-0) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gd in May.
Perfect Smile (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, struggling from 4 out, soon no impression, 7th of 8, well behind Simenon (11-8) at Cork 2m hdl gd in May.
Pires 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 4th approaching 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led run-in and kept on well, easily, won at Cork 2m beg chs gd in Apr beating Rayhani (11-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
Satu (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Soon tracked leaders, led from 3 out, soon strongly pressed, joined from before last, stayed on well run-in to just prevail, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in May beating Rattan (11-0) by hd, 18 ran.
Schelm (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Settled behind leaders, bad mistake 5th, 6th halfway, 5th 4 out, ridden next, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, left 4th last, 4th of 7, 40l behind Raptor (10-13) at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gd in May.
Sports Line (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In rear, ridden after last (omitted 5 out), never dangerous, 7th of 8, 38l behind Ultimate (10-6) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.
Star Of Aragon (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway into 6th 2 out, smooth progress on outer entering straight, led before last where drifted right, kept on under pressure run-in, edged left closing stages, held on, won at Leopardstown 2m nov hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Dec beating Cairdin (11-12) by nk, 13 ran.
Clarach (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Waited with towards rear, progress to track leaders from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure run-in to lead near finish, won at Sligo 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in May beating Rising Time (11-3) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
