attempted to make all, pushed along approaching straight, soon joined, headed from 2 out, no impression last, kept on same pace
waited with behind leaders, a bit slow at 1st, struggling in 4th 3 out, soon behind, fell 2 out
tracked leaders, 2nd from before 3 out, on terms going well from before straight, ridden from 2 out to lead, in command last, ridden clear run-in, comfortably
waited with behind leaders, mistake 6th, last and no extra 3 out
tracked leader, under pressure 4 out, soon dropped to 3rd, no extra approaching straight
Jamie Codd and Derek O'Connor are likely to fight out the point-to-point jockey's title and this looks between them. The former's mount Backstage has won an astonishing 13 times between the flags though hasn't been looking quite as good in his most recent starts including when beaten at odds-on at Castletown last weekend. NORTHER BAY is chosen to take this for O'Connor, who was on board when he beat today's rival Sebadee comfortably at Toomebridge last month, his first start in a point-to-point after a decent career under Rules. Klassy is a fair performer between the flags who has been in good form all year and looks best of the remainder.
Norther Bay (FR) 5-4 (12-2) Ld, hdd brfly 1/2 way, ld 5out, alw in command, won at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp gf in Sep beating Sebadee (12-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Presenting Nama (IRE) 2-1 (12-2) Rcd 4th, cl up 4out, eff to chall aftr 2out, ld brfly, hdd run in, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Give Us A Hand (12-2) at Rathcannon 3m ire ptp gf in Sep.
Sebadee (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Alw pr, gd prog to cl 2nd 2out, eff bef last, no ch with wnr, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Norther Bay (12-2) at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp gf in Sep.
The Admiral Benbow (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Rr mid div, prog in 5th from 8th, rdn 5out, 4th 4out, 7l 3rd & no ex aftr 3out, mod 4th from 2out, wknd, 6th of 11, 25l behind Charlie Swift (12-0) at Kinsale 3m ire ptp gd in Jun.
The Last Derby (FR) 7-1 (12-2) Made all, qcknd well 2out, row, won at Limavady 3m ire ptp gd beating Highly Unlikely (12-2) by 10l, 12 ran.
Backstage (FR) 4-5 (12-2) Mid div, 2nd from 4out, not get to wnr but kow, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Slippers Percy (12-2) at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp gd.
Klassy (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tr ldrs, 3rd 3out, not go with front pair, ko onepce, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Give Us A Hand (12-2) at Rathcannon 3m ire ptp gf in Sep.
Whitty's Choice (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Towards rear, mistake 6th, no impression and kept on same pace from 6 out, 9th of 15, 42l behind Count Salazar (11-1) at Wexford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 gf in Jul.
