An'ball looked a certain future winner when runner-up here and at Sligo and was making his chasing debut when pulled up at Downpatrick. Rio Lobo won a Tramore maiden then didn't appear to stay when tackling this trip at Bellewstown. CASTLE HOWARD showed nothing on heavy going but it was a different matter at Down Royal last month when he ran really well over this trip on good ground. He's only four and has plenty more to offer so gets the nod. Torquay was moderate on the Flat but looks like being a better hurdler and wasn't stopping when runner-up over 2m2f here a couple of weeks ago. Fleurys Fort will attract support after his fifth victory over timber at Sligo and a 4lb rise looks manageable.
An'ball (FR) 7-2jfav (11-12) Mid-division early, not always fluent jumping, 6th after 8th, no impression approaching 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Downpatrick 2m 7f gd in Jun.
Rio Lobo (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up early, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 3 out, soon no extra, 9th of 14, 20l behind Babbling Stream (11-10) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp gf in Jul.
Fleurys Fort (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Mid-division and 5th from halfway, improved into 2nd from 4 out and led before 2 out, ridden before last and kept on well run-in, won at Sligo 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul beating Weather Watch (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Brogine (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear, slightly hampered 2nd, ridden into 8th 3 out, no impression next, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Mill Quest (11-9) at Cork 2m 4f hcp gf in Jul.
Castle Howard (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not match winner from before 3 out, kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 16, 4 3/4l behind Roi De Dubai (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp gd in Jun.
Comehere Hi (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Towards rear, hampered at 4th, 8th after 7th, progress to 5th 3 out, mistake and fell 2 out, at Killarney 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Roja Dove (IRE) 33-1 (12-1) 11th of 13, dist behind Air Supremacy (12-3) at Curragh 1m 4f stks gf in Jul.
Black Label 8-1 (8-13) Towards rear, 5th halfway, ridden approaching straight, progress 1 1/2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind The Mouse Doctor (10-0) at Leopardstown 1m 5f hcp gf in Jul.
Torquay 5-1 (11-5) Prominent, slight mistake 2nd, closed up in 2nd approaching 5th where not fluent, no impression and kept on same pace from before 2 out, slight mistake last, 2nd of 10, 8 1/2l behind Epsilon Indi (10-8) at Limerick 2m 2f hcp gd in Jul.
Coole Craft (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division and 4th from halfway, slightly short of room before 2 out and soon pushed along, no impression in 5th before last and kept on same pace run-in, 5th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Padraic O Conaire (11-12) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
