held up towards rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, moderate 4th 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next
tracked leaders, moderate 6th on outer 3 out, soon pushed along, no impression
led after 1st, ridden from 2 out, headed at last, dropped to 3rd and no extra close home
held up in rear, closer in moderate 5th 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to go 2nd close home, pressed winner to line
held up in rear, mistake 5 out, no impression from 3 out, moderate 6th when fell at last
led early, headed after 1st, mainly 2nd, ridden 2 out, led at last, pressed close home, stayed on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, bad mistake 4 out, ridden from next, weakened
Pires has been a fine servant to connections though it's over two years since he last won over fences and he's better handicapped over timber. Fosters Cross may be a teenager but he's still capable of winning at this level judging by his close second to Devils Bride in a stronger race than this at Galway so he has to be considered for his 14th victory on his 101st start. Grade 3 novice hurdle winner HASH BROWN looked a certain future winner over fences after his first two runs against strong opposition but disappointed at Killarney last month. He makes his handicap debut here and can get back to winning ways. Davinia's Tip looks a nice prospect and should be winning again soon and though she's hasn't run since March the presence of Ruby Walsh in the saddle suggests she'll be ready for this. Drumlee overcame jumping problems to score at Ballinrobe and will need to sharpen up from 8lb higher.
Pires 7-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden in 6th before 2 out, stayed on to 2nd after last, kept on run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Cassells Rock (11-2) at Down Royal 2m Good - Yielding in Aug.
Fosters Cross (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, ridden into 4th before straight, challenged early straight, 2nd and kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Devils Bride (11-5) at Galway 2m 2f hcp gd in Sep.
Hash Brown (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Ran 5th, 3rd after 6th, 5th before 7th, pushed along after 4 out, 6th 3 out, soon driven, no impression, not fluent 2 out, no extra, 6th of 11, dist behind Golantilla (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Aug.
Davinia's Tip (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Made all, slight mistake 7th, ridden and pressed straight, asserted last and kept on well run-in, won at Wexford 2m 1f hcp sft in Mar beating Hop In (10-10) by 4l, 7 ran.
Drumlee (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, 5th from 6th, slight mistakes 4 out and 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon left 3rd, stayed on to lead run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug beating Afatcat (11-8) by 6l, 7 ran.
Instant Impacked (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up, 9th early, slight mistake 4th, no extra from after 3 out, 8th of 11, 28 1/4l behind Crown Theatre (11-7) at Limerick 2m 1f hcp Yielding - Soft in May.
Ballyfinboy (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 6th after 2 out, soon no impression and kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 10 3/4l behind Balofilo (10-11) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp sft in Sep.
Miradane 12-1 (11-10) Held up, not fluent 2nd, slightly slow jump 3rd, jumped left and bumped rival 5th, 10th halfway, badly hampered 8th, slow jump 4 out, no impression from after next,, 7th of 13, 37 3/4l behind Illtakeitfromhere (11-2) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp gf in Jul.
