led, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed last, under pressure and kept on run-in, not match winner
tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along 2 out and no impression in 3rd before last, no extra
always rear, pushed along and no impression 2 out, no extra approaching last
held up, 4th halfway, progress inner to go 2nd 2 out, led last, ridden and kept on best run-in
tracked leaders, slight mistake 2nd, 3rd halfway, not fluent 3 out and next, ridden and no impression before last, no extra
Mr Steadfast didn't look suited by heavy ground at Ballinrobe and his jumping wasn't fluent. He looked held when Trainstation made a mess of the last but it was still a taking performance and there's more to come. My Manekineko had beaten Trainstation narrowly at Limerick in June but collateral form gives him a bit to find with Mr Steadfast. After four successive seconds, Cecil Corbett got off the mark in a poor contest at Downpatrick but couldn't handle the step up in class at Galway and was beaten a long way. FIOSRACH lost his maiden tag over hurdles in comfortable fashion at Kilbeggan in April and ran well on the Flat at Galway which should have put him spot-on and his yard remains in good form so he's handed the vote. Coolfighter has won seven times on the Flat and has been running well so he's no forlorn hope on his return to hurdles.
Cecil Corbett 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden in 7th before 2 out, moderate 5th entering straight, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 25l behind Long Dog (11-9) at Galway 2m nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
Fiosrach (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, soon 3rd, led after 3 out, went clear approaching straight, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Kilbeggan 2m mdn hdl in Apr beating Aunt Alice (10-3) by 6l, 9 ran.
Mr Steadfast (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 7th 2 out, progress into 3rd before straight, ridden into 2nd entering straight, stayed on to press leader last and soon led, kept on well closing stages, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f mdn hdl in Jul beating Trainstation (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
My Manekineko 9-2 (11-5) Towards rear, badly hampered after 1st, a little keen, slight mistake 4th where 8th, moderate 5th approaching straight, slight mistake 2 out, mistake last, no extra, 6th of 13, 23l behind Damefirth (11-0) at Kilbeggan 2m hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Jul.
Coolfighter (GER) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 11, 10l behind Mumbo Bay (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl gd in Jun '14.
