soon chased leaders in 4th, closed 4 out, 3rd approaching straight, ridden into 2nd and every chance last, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace near line
attempted to make all, soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, joined next, headed next, no extra from before last, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closer order in 3rd 4 out, 4th approaching straight, soon no extra and dropped behind
waited with, 5th of the 6, hit 2nd, 4th into straight, ridden into 3rd at last, every chance run-in, stayed on well, not quite get to winner
raced last of the 6, went moderate 5th 2 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace without threatening
chased leader, closed when mistake 4 out, challenged and on terms next, gained narrow lead 2 out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well run-in, all out
This looks a match between progressive chasers RATHLIN and Tribes And Banner. Both scored on the same card at Punchestown last month but the former looks to have the superior form and is just preferred to Charlie Swan's chaser as the latter has been upped 17lb for his easy success. Arnaud won nicely at Killarney last month but has yet to race on fast going and the remainder have plenty to find on today's terms with Flemross perhaps coming out best of them.
Tribes And Banner (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Always prominent, led 4 out, stretched clear travelling well entering straight, stayed on strongly from 2 out, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 2f chs gf in May beating Burn And Turn (10-6) by 11l, 9 ran.
Flemross (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Led and set strong pace, strongly pressed 2 out and headed approaching straight, no impression and dropped to 3rd at last, no extra, 4th of 13, 8l behind Shabra Charity (10-3) at Kilbeggan 2m 4f hcp chs gd in Aug.
Monastrell 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Jack Absolute (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 9-4fav (11-10) Held up, 6th halfway, headway into 2nd entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2 out, no extra before last, 5th of 8, 9l behind Alderwood (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr '12.
Fantastic Gold 20-1 (11-6) Towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon no extra, 15th of 20, 34l behind Sea Stallion (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Oct.
Arnaud (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Soon led, pressed and joined 2 out, soon led again, stayed on best to assert run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs sft in May beating Rebel Fitz (11-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Rathlin 2-1 (11-3) Led from 2nd and made rest, jumped well, went clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, easily, won at Punchestown 2m 6f chs gf in May beating Treacle (11-6) by 19l, 7 ran.
