tracked leader in 2nd early, disputed lead from 3rd, led from 7th, joined 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well run-in
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in moderate 3rd after 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, moderate 4th inside final furlong
held up in last, ridden and went moderate 5th 3 out, no impression
held up in 5th, ridden entering straight, moderate last 3 out, weakened
led early, joined from 3rd headed 7th, improved to dispute lead and ridden when mistake 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace in 2nd run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 3rd entering straight, moderate 4th 2 out, kept on without threatening leaders to go moderate 3rd inside final furlong
Joseph O'Brien has the top and bottom here. Banbridge easily landed a Killarney bumper then beat a huge field of maiden hurdlers in good style at Punchestown. The four-year-old Palm Beach was narrowly beaten in all three starts over timber at the turn of the year before landing a Kilbeggan maiden but ran a shocker when odds-on at Ballinrobe next time. BUDDY RICH changed stables earlier this year and comfortably landed the odds at Kilbeggan so gets the nod to continue his progress. Brooks Falls battled to a narrow victory at Ballinrobe and wasn't disgraced in a better race at Punchestown next time but his stable companion The Little Yank is 0-20 over hurdles.
Banbridge (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Disputed briefly, soon chased leaders, 6th halfway, improved to press leader 2 out, attempted to challenge on rail and short of room after 2 out, switched to outer entering straight, ridden to lead before last where slight mistake, kept on strongly run-in, won at Punchestown 2m mdn sft in May beating John Cannon (12-0) by 6 1/2l, 25 ran.
Brooks Falls (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Waited with, soon towards rear, pushed along briefly from 7th and at stages after, headway and kept on same pace without threatening from before 2 out, 3rd of 7, 15l behind The West Awaits (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f Good - Yielding in May.
Peace Party (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, 14th halfway, 9th after 4 out, 6th 2 out, ridden and no impression in 4th when slight mistake last, kept on one pace to go 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 16, 8 3/4l behind Gone Racing (12-0) at Roscommon 1m 7f hcp gd in Jun.
Ruhm Und Ehre (IRE) 300-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 7th 3 out, ridden and no impression early straight, soon no extra, 7th of 15, dist behind Flanking Maneuver (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.
The Little Yank (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up towards rear, 4th after 4 out, 3rd when mistake next, ridden and no impression when not fluent 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 10 1/4l behind Enniskerry (11-3) at Roscommon 2m 4f gd in Jun.
Palm Beach (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, mistake and reminder 5th, slight mistake and pushed along next, soon ridden and no impression, no extra, behind when pulled up before last, at Ballinrobe 2m 2f hvy in May.
Buddy Rich (IRE) 8-13fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led before 3rd, 1 length clear before 4 out, travelled well and asserted before last, kept on well, eased closing stages, comfortably, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn gd in Apr beating Goldwin Magic (11-6) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
