towards rear, slightly hampered at 3rd, 5th before 5th, not fluent in 4th at 7th, progress in 3rd before 4 out, closed 3 out where not fluent, dropped to 4th 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader, 3rd at 3rd where slightly hampered and unseated rider
rear, mistake at 2nd and slightly detached, closed up on field after 6th, niggled along in 7th after 8th, weakened after 3 out, never a factor, tailed off
in touch, left 2nd after 3rd, took closer order at 5th, dropped to 3rd before 8th, dropped to 4th before 4 out, no impression in 5th before 2 out, one paced
towards rear, mistake at 2nd, not fluent at 3rd and hampered, 6th before 5th, reminder after 6th, dropped to rear after 7th, soon detached, pulled up before 8th
in rear, soon slightly detached, progress at 6th, 6th after 8th, stayed on in 4th after 3 out, improved to 3rd 2 out, switched right in 2nd last, ridden and kept on run-in, held
mid-division, left 3rd after 3rd, not fluent at 4th, improved to 2nd before 8th, closed 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 2 out, dropped to 3rd last, one paced closing stages
soon led, headed before 3rd and raced 2nd, mistake and fell at 3rd
in touch, improved to lead before 3rd, left clear after 3rd, reduced advantage at 5th, asserted before 8th where not fluent, reduced lead 3 out, jumped left last, ridden and kept on well run-in
rear of mid-division, 4th before 5th, 5th before 8th, mistake 4 out, under pressure in 6th before 2 out, weakened before last
DIRECT IMAGE has been superbly placed to complete a five-timer over fences and hurdles. Back over the larger obstacles for the first time since November, he has predictably climbed the ratings but may be good enough to win again before the handicapper shuts the door. Arthur's Quay is 0-9 over fences but often attracts market support and is probably on a fair mark if fully wound-up following a break. Lake Chad won at Tramore in June and a case can also be made for the five-year-old Malina Girl while The Great White was first past the post at Kilbeggan last month only to lose the race in the stewards’ room.
She Tops The Lot (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 1st, headed and lost place before 2 out, 8th before last, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 20, 11 1/4l behind Darkened (12-0) at Galway 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Arthur's Quay (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Waited with, soon towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along in last after 4th, pulled up after 5th, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Lake Chad (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, unseated rider 5 out, at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Callthebarman (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, 12th at 4th, headway after 4 out, no impression before last, ridden and weakened run-in, 10th of 20, 14 3/4l behind Darkened (12-0) at Galway 2m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Direct Image (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked leader, 5th after 5th, 6th after 8th, good headway to close approaching straight, led entering straight, driven out run-in, won at Punchestown 3m hcp gd in May beating Loudest Whisper (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Malina Girl (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Mid-division, 5th halfway, went 2nd travelling well after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 2 3/4l behind I'm Not Alone (10-6) at Tipperary 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Jul.
The Great White (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Mid-division and 5th halfway, pushed along and took closer order from last, improved to lead over 1f out and soon ridden, strongly pressed inside final furlong and just held on (demoted to 2nd), won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp gd in Jul beating Krujers Girl (10-2) by hd, 10 ran.
First Touch (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, 7th halfway, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight, 10th of 17, 37 3/4l behind Moving Water (10-8) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Jun.
Avec Espoir 16-1 (11-4) Chased leader, 4th halfway, 5th when hampered 5 out, pushed along and no extra from 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Tipperary 2m 7f hcp Yielding in Jul.
Trans Wood (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Mid-division, closer in 5th halfway, slow 7 out, ridden in 6th before straight, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 10 3/4l behind Cluan Dara (10-4) at Limerick 2m 4f hcp gd in Jul.
Brideswell Lad (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Disputed briefly, jumped road before 1st, soon tracked leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 4 out, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden and ran around slightly before last, slight mistake last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Limerick 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul beating Steps Match (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Galon De Vauzelle (FR) 7-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, progress in 5th 3 out, travelled well into 3rd before last, ridden last, stayed on well run-in to lead at line, won at Ballinrobe 2m 6f hcp gd in Jul beating Park Hind (10-0) by ns, 7 ran.
