chased leaders, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure when slight mistake 2 out, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace from last
led and jumped well, soon clear of remainder with 2nd, reduced lead last, kept on run-in, headed close home
tracked leader, soon clear of remainder, niggled along briefly 5th, jumped right 5 out, no extra 2 out
mistake 2nd, chased leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, soon lost place and no extra
slightly slow jump 1st, well off pace in rear, went moderate 4th under pressure approaching straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
chased leaders, dropped to last and ridden well off pace 4 out, some headway on inner from next, closed into 2nd at last, stayed on well run-in to lead close home
Sorceror's close fourth to Captain Cee Bee at Naas in December would be good enough for this but he didn't impress with his jumping on his next two starts and may just need the run against race-fit rivals. Turf War also made mistakes when runner-up to Glenstal Abbey at Listowel and will need to jump better while Beau Michael has a double penalty which could just count against him. Salesin has been in cracking form and will go close but a chance is taken on the four-year-old SAVE MY BLUSHES, a winner over timber here last month and still in touch when falling on his chasing bow at Ballinrobe.
Beau Michael 11-4 (11-9) Led early, slight mistake 3rd and headed, pushed along from 6th, ridden in 3rd 3 out, no extra before next, faded to 4th from last, 4th of 5, 9l behind Kilmurry (11-3) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gf in Aug.
Echo Bob (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Soon well off pace in rear, poor 6th after 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening from before next, 4th of 7, 7l behind Hazeymm (11-9) at Tramore 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 fm in Aug.
Salesin 2-1fav (10-9) Made all, clear for much, jumped well apart from getting in close to 5 out, asserted straight, stayed on well, easily, won at Cork 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 in Aug beating Whispering Wind (10-9) by 15l, 11 ran.
Sorceror (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 1st, 4th 4 out, 5th and no extra from next, 5th of 6, 15l behind Shakervilz (11-4) at Navan 2m nov chs G2 sft in Feb.
Turf War (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Chased clear leader, moderate 4th halfway, left close 3rd after 6 out, mistake 5 out and dropped to rear, mistake 3 out, ridden approaching straight, went 4th 2 out, 2nd at last, kept on same pace without threatening winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Glenstal Abbey (11-7) at Listowel 2m 1f nov chs gd.
Save My Blushes 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, close 3rd from halfway until fell 3 out, in a race won by Head Of The Posse (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m beg chs, 14 ran.
Fine Call (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, never a factor, no extra approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, 25l behind Lake Return (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 2f beg chs gf.
