prominent, close up 4 out, on terms 2 out, close 2nd at last, no extra in 3rd final furlong
close up early, tracked leaders, no extra from before 5 out, tailed off
held up, slightly impeded 1st, soon mid-division, headway from before 5 out, 5th 2 out, 3rd approaching straight, challenged in final furlong, kept on without matching winner
towards rear, slightly impeded 6 out, poor 7th approaching straight, ran on without threatening under pressure final furlong
towards rear, slightly impeded 5 out, 8th when fell 2 out
prominent, raced on outer, not fluent 4th, 3rd 2 out, led approaching straight, strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out where 6th, 5th approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace
led early, prominent, tended to jump slightly left, on terms 2 out, led last, headed and dropped to 4th approaching straight, soon no extra
jumped slightly left 1st, not fluent 2nd, soon mid-division, hampered 5 out, 7th 2 out where jumped slightly left, moderate 6th approaching straight, one pace
towards rear, mistake 3 out, raced wide approaching 2 out, no extra last, tailed off
chased leaders, bad mistake and unseated rider 5 out
slight mistake 1st, soon led, pressed 4 out where slight mistake, headed before 2 out where dropped to 4th and not fluent, virtually pulled up from before straight, completely tailed off
hit 1st, in rear when not fluent 3rd, fell 6 out
pushed along briefly early, tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, slightly impeded 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
The versatile Pires is better over fences than hurdles and will be better for his recent run, his first since December. Orpheus Valley landed a Grade A handicap at Punchestown in April and had a spin on the Flat to put him straight last month but UK raider Croco Bay is barely out of the novice stage and faces a stiff task. NEARLY NAMA'D comfortably landed a beginners' event on his chasing bow before an excellent second to Mahrajaan in a tough Killarney handicap with Boxer Beat not far behind. He was unlucky that day and with a rise of just 3lb can gain compensation. Saint Gervais has some smart form to his credit and had a run on the Flat here during the week so he's a definite contender and Formidableopponent, though fortunate to win at Killarney, is on a reasonable mark for his handicap debut.
Croco Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked winner, driven and lost place between last 2, no chance with front pair approaching last, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 7, 13l behind Fair Dilemma (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Jul.
Orpheus Valley (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Made all, ridden entering straight, kept on from before last, strongly pressed closing stages run-in, won at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs in Apr beating Competitive Edge (11-1) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Pires 25-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, progress from 3 out, ridden in 5th next, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Golden Ticket (9-12) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Cootamundra (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, no impression from before 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Some Tikket (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov hcp chs sft in Apr.
Saint Gervais (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Chased leaders in 4th when unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Art Of Logistics (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov chs (1) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, towards rear 3 out, no impression, 16th of 24, 35l behind Gilgamboa (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m hcap hdle sft in Jan.
Muzak (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 34l behind Whatever It Takes (10-3) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp hdl in Jul.
Supreme Doc (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 5th 5 out, progress on outer after next, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 14l behind Shield (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f nh nov hdl gd in Jul.
Nearly Nama'd (IRE) 9-2fav (10-6) Led, mistake 5th, mistake 2 out and headed, carried slightly left before last, kept on well run-in without matching winner, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Mahrajaan (9-13) at Killarney 2m 1f hcap ch gd in Jul.
Darenjan (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden in moderate 7th 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 41l behind Muzak (11-4) at Sligo 2m 1f hcp chs hvy in Oct.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Soon chased leaders, 5th halfway, progress into 3rd 6 out, 2nd and closed on leader entering straight, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, no impression on leader when left in clear lead last, eased home run-in, won at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gd in Jul beating Raydari (11-12) by 13l, 11 ran.
Afatcat 16-1 (11-12) Soon led, bumped rival 2nd, clear before 5 out, reduced lead into straight, soon pressed, left with race winning advantage last, kept on well run-in, won at Clonmel 2m beg chase gd in Jun beating Chill (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Cnoc Na Sioga (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up early, improved from 5th, 2nd at 6th, pushed along straight, 3rd before 2 out, 4th and no extra approaching last, 4th of 5, 24l behind Devils Bride (11-8) at Limerick 2m 3f nov chs in Jul.
Paddy O Dee 16-1 (10-13) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 7th of 12, 39l behind Hilden (10-4) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Jun.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Bumped at start, chased clear leaders in rear, closer 8th, left 5th 3 out and soon no extra, weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Alelchi Inois (11-9) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Toostrong (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Towards rear, took closer order from before 2 out, 7th and ridden after 2 out, no impression from before last and kept on same pace run-in, 6th of 12, 19l behind Caim Hill (11-4) at Kilbeggan 3m 1f hcp chs gd in Jul.
Boxer Beat (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Raced in 3rd, ridden after 3 out, every chance when carried slightly left before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Mahrajaan (9-13) at Killarney 2m 1f hcap ch gd in Jul.
Big Generator 4-1 (10-8) Led, headed before 5th, 3rd at 8th, closer in 3rd on inner 2 out, ridden to press leader at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Westhaven (9-13) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp chs in Jul.
Musawama (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent early, tracked leader in 2nd, no extra and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Big Generator (10-9) at Wexford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gf in Jun.
