held up behind leaders, slight mistake 3rd, 4th halfway, 3rd and dropped off leaders before 10th, ridden and no impression before straight, kept on one pace
led and disputed, slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden in 2nd, no impression next, kept on one pace
held up behind leaders, slight mistake 1st, 3rd halfway, slight mistake 8th, dropped to rear and mistake 10th, soon ridden and no impression, weakened straight and completely tailed off
led and disputed, led 3 out, asserted before next, clear when slight mistake last, easily
Bellgrove comfortably landed a beginners chase at Down Royal and didn't run badly in a Tipperary handicap but faces potentially useful opposition here. Fort Smith won two Downpatrick handicaps but hasn't quite been able to handle the subsequent step-up in class and like the other dual chase winner in the line-up, Upazo, has to concede 4lb to his rivals. The latter makes a quick reappearance after his victory at Tramore on Sunday and will prove a threat while Rock The World jumped very well when runner-up to the impressive Sizing Platinum at Galway and is still capable of better. That winner is trained by Henry De Bromhead, who has VICONTE DU NOYER engaged here. The six-year-old jumped like an old hand when scoring very easily here last month and though he wouldn't want the ground to firm up he looks a smart prospect and can go in again.
Fort Smith (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Soon held up towards rear, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden last, no impression entering straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Sizing Platinum (11-6) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Jul.
Upazo (FR) 9-4fav (11-8) Raced in 2nd, pushed along before straight, no impression when fell 2 out, at Limerick 2m 3f gd in Jul.
Bellgrove (IRE) 5-1fav (10-6) Chased leaders, soon 4th, jumped slightly right at times, slight mistake 3 out and pushed along, kept on same pace from before straight,, 4th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Coldstonesober (10-5) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Viconte Du Noyer (FR) 5-4fav (11-12) Led briefly early, soon moderate 2nd, closed 4 out, led before straight, clear from before 3 out, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Killarney 2m 1f Good - Yielding in Jul beating The Herds Garden (11-12) by 22l, 12 ran.
Rock The World (IRE) 9-10fav (11-6) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge 4 out, ridden in 2nd after last, kept on same pace straight, not match winner closing stages, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Sizing Platinum (11-6) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Jul.
