chased leaders, 5th when slow 4 out, soon ridden, no extra after next
held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway into 3rd halfway, weakened quickly before 4 out, tailed off
close up in 2nd, ridden after 4 out, weakened under pressure after 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, slight mistake 7th, 5th 5 out, progress 3 out, 2nd under pressure 2 out, 3rd and no extra from last
held up in touch, 5th and smooth progress after 4 out, 4th next, ridden and no impression before last, one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd 4 out, ridden before 2 out, 2nd and challenged after last, stayed on well to lead close home
held up towards rear, 7th and in touch after 4 out, no impression from next, one pace
fell 1st
attempted to make all, pressed from before 3 out, ridden and strongly pressed after last, kept on well, headed close home
BOBS PRIDE is comfortably the pick on official ratings which is hardly surprising as he would have gone very close in the Galway Plate but for a last-fence fall. He may have still been feeling the effects when a moderate third behind Farringdon at Ballinrobe on Monday and his overall form makes him an obvious choice. Battlefront was in fine form at the beginning of the year landing two handicaps at Punchestown but he's relatively exposed and Inistioge is a more progressive type. Garvan Donnelly's charge landed a Grade 3 novices' event at Limerick in March and looks a nice prospect but useful hurdler Nicanor hasn't done as well as expected over fences and is well held by Bobs Pride on Plate running. Sarteano was also behind at Galway but was conceding Hairy Molly 8lbs when narrowly beaten at Kilbeggan and could provide the main threat.
Barna Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division until weakened and pulled up after 7 out, in a race won by Alfa Beat (10-10) at Listowel 3m Handicap Chase (Grade A) (4yo+) (1) gd, 18 ran.
Battlefront (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 5 out, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Grey Soldier (11-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gf in Jul.
Inistioge (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led until fell 6th, in a race won by Caim Hill (11-3) at Limerick 3m nov chs G2 sft in Apr, 6 ran.
Beckett Rock (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider 13th, in a race won by Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr, 26 ran.
Bobs Pride (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Held up, progress into 4th 6 out, 2nd 3 out, soon pushed along, close up when slight mistake 2 out, 3rd and no extra from last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Farringdon (10-12) at Ballinrobe 2m 6f chs.
Chicago Grey (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Led, clear early, jumped left and not fluent throughout, joined 2 out, headed before straight, squeezed for room briefly when challenging from 1f out, soon every chance, kept on well, just failed, 2nd of 4, hd behind Lucky At Last (11-3) at Galway 2m 6f nov chs gf in Aug.
Larry Luso (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, no impression approaching straight, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Strongpoint (11-5) at Limerick 2m 6f chs gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Nicanor (FR) 7-2 (11-0) In touch towards rear, moderate 4th 3 out, moderate 3rd approaching next, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Beau Michael (11-0) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hdl gd in Aug.
Sarteano (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders until distracted and unseated rider with mistake 5 out, in a race won by Alfa Beat (10-10) at Galway 2m 6f hcp chs gf in Aug, 9 ran.
