held up towards rear, headway from 5 out, 6th 3 out, no impression from next
rear of mid-division, closer from 5 out, went 3rd 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, 3rd halfway, closer in 2nd before 6 out, led after next, stayed on well in straight
chased clear leader in 2nd, closer 6 out, soon pushed along, no extra after 4 out
held up in rear, some headway from 4 out, 8th approaching 2 out, no impression in 5th at last, kept on one pace
chased clear leader, 7th halfway, no extra and weakened before 11th where pulled up
chased clear leader, 8th halfway, closer 6 out, 5th 3 out, no extra from next
chased clear leader, 4th halfway, closer from 6 out, 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner from next, kept on one pace
mid-division, mistakes at 8th and 6 out, no extra after 3 out
chased clear leader, 5th halfway, closer 6 out, no extra from early straight
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders when mistake and unseated rider 1st
held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, driven along in 7th approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure to go 2nd at last, no impression on winner run-in
chased clear leader, 6th halfway, closer 6 out, no extra after 3 out
led, raced keenly, clear from 7th, reduced advantage 6 out, bad mistake and headed next, soon no extra and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
rear of mid-division, mistake 2nd, never a factor, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, never a factor
Ponmeoath has already won two Kerry Nationals and is a pound lower than when last successful in 2008. Eric McNamara's 11-year-old loves it around here and is impossible to rule out. Alfa Beat won the race 12 months ago ahead of Dancing Tornado but is 11lb higher in the weights this time around while this looks a tall order for the Willie Mullins' pair Scotsirish and Blazing Tempo at the head of the weights, though stablemate Uncle Junior could be interesting in this Grade A handicap even though hasn't raced over this trip for more than three years. Adams Island had some decent form in novice events for Rebecca Curtis last season but, like English raider Minella Boys, will do well to win this after a break and more interesting is BIDEFORD LEGEND. Charles Byrnes has protected his charge's handicap mark over fences since he scored by eight lengths at Killarney in May but the seven-year-old has been in good form over hurdles and, proven over this trip on soft ground, looks to have an excellent chance of claiming this big prize. Recent winners Ballyholland and Sarteano may be the pick of the remainder.
Scotsirish (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent and lost place 7th, slight mistake and niggled along 5 out, went moderate 3rd and struggling into straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Ballyholland (11-5) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Aug.
Blazing Tempo (IRE) 5-1fav (10-4) Mid-division, 11th halfway, headway in 7th 4 out, ridden into 4th last, 2nd entering straight, kept on well to challenge inside final furlong, led last 100 yards, won at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul beating Wise Old Owl (10-3) by 1 1/4l, 22 ran.
Alfa Beat (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Prominent, moderate 2nd before 2 out, dropped to 4th and kept on same pace under pressure run-in, 4th of 17, 4l behind Double Seven (10-1) at Galway 2m 6f hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Church Island (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pecked and driven 14th, lost place next, struggling 19th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Poker De Sivola (10-12) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gf in Apr, 18 ran.
Dancing Tornado (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 29l behind The Bull Hayes (10-10) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl in Aug.
Ballyholland (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Waited with towards rear, closed from before 3 out, led travelling well after last, clear before straight, pressed final furlong, stayed on well, won at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Aug beating Lenabane (11-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Uncle Junior (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Towards rear, slight mistake 5th, reminder when slightly slow jump 4 out, went 4th under pressure before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 4l behind Resolute Bay (10-4) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Aug.
Lenabane (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Soon tracked leaders, moderate 3rd approaching 2 out, soon closed, chased winner from before straight, soon closed and challenged, every chance and kept on well without matching winner closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ballyholland (11-5) at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Aug.
Dr Whizz (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Raced well off pace in 4th, niggled along briefly 6 out, ridden to go moderate 2nd into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Down In Neworleans (11-9) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Aug.
Ponmeoath (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Soon towards rear, no impression and kept on same pace from after 4 out, 9th of 18, 36l behind Ongenstown Lad (11-5) at Roscommon 3m hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Aug.
Sarteano (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and strongly pressed leader after last, led 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Galway 2m 6f chs gd in Jul beating Willies Girl (10-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Adams Island (IRE) 9-4 (11-8) Held up in 4th, not fluent, hit 7th and 9th, closed 10th, mistake 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner after last, not able to challenge, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Balthazar King (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Bideford Legend (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Soon raced in moderate 6th, closer in 5th from 5 out, ridden in moderate 3rd before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Tavern Times (11-6) at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
Gonebeyondrecall (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, on terms approaching 5 out, soon led, clear straight, mistake 2 out, headed and no extra approaching last, 4th of 16, 9l behind Compton Court (10-8) at Listowel 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gd in Jun.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Attempted to make all, clear of remainder with winner approaching straight, headed and kept on without matching winner from last, 2nd of 20, 4 1/2l behind Moon Dice (10-4) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Minella Boys (IRE) 9-2fav (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, chased winner before 5 out until stumbled on bend and soon weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Companero (11-0) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Glenstal Abbey (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders early, 10th halfway, 6th 4 out, ridden in 8th and no extra next, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Uncle Junior (11-0) at Punchestown 3m 6f hcp chs 0-140 gd in May, 25 ran.
Archie Boy (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Prominent, 3rd halfway, weakened 7 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Blazing Tempo (10-4) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gd in Jul, 22 ran.
Muirhead (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 2nd, 3rd 2 out, improved to lead before last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hdl gf in Aug beating Magical Memoir (10-10) by 3l, 4 ran.
Norther Bay (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Prominent, close up in 5th on outer 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from after next, 4th of 14, 11l behind Armaramak (11-3) at Killarney 2m 4f hcp chs gs in Aug.
Tawaagg 6-4fav (11-5) Keen hold in moderate 4th, struggling to close from before 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Takeyourcapoff (11-1) at Tramore 2m hdl gf in Aug.
