bad mistake 2nd, soon raced in 4th, 5th 4 out, no extra straight
in touch in rear, 5th approaching 5 out, 4th next, 3rd 2 out, 2nd at last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
pecked 1st, tracked leader, niggled along from 5 out, 3rd from next, 4th and no extra from 2 out
in touch towards rear, dropped to last approaching 5 out, kept on without threatening straight
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd from 4 out, challenged travelling well 2 out, led between last 2, eased clear run-in, not extended
attempted to make all, strongly pressed straight, headed between last 2, dropped to 3rd and no extra at last
Norther Bay lost a winning opportunity with a bad mistake at the last when runner-up to Beau Michael at Limerick and should be thereabouts with a clear round. Adajal has finally got the hang of things over fences and completed a double at Killarney last week with the minimum of fuss. An 8lbs rise doesn't appear harsh and he looks certain to go well but may not cope with ECHO BOB this time. Henry De Bromhead's six-year-old showed his liking for fast conditions when jumping well and making all for a convincing victory over Who's Deal at Tramore a month ago and a 3lbs rise shouldn't alter his progress. Narquois, who is very useful on his day, will have benefited from his comeback run at Punchestown and is another to consider in a tight little handicap.
Norther Bay (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent and took keen hold, led from 4th, joined after 3 out, led again from 2 out, 1/2L lead when pecked badly at last, lost winning chance and headed, kept on again run-in, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Beau Michael (11-12) at Limerick 2m 1f beg chs gd.
Echo Bob (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Made all, ridden clear before last, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m beg chase gf in Apr beating Who's Deal (11-12) by 9l, 14 ran.
Narquois (FR) 20-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, ridden into 9th entering straight, no impression from 2 out and kept on one pace, 8th of 23, 21l behind Battlefront (9-10) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-140 gd in Apr.
My Lord Oscar (IRE) 4-1fav (10-9) Hampered 4th, hit 7th, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Adajal (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Not fluent 1st, soon mid-division, progress after 4 out, 3rd next, led before last, clear and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Killarney 2m 1f hcp chs 0-102 gd beating Greengables (10-12) by 3l, 15 ran.
Gerannjo (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Prominent, on terms 3 out, led approaching next, soon strongly pressed, kept on run-in, headed close home, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Adajal (10-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gd.
