tracked leaders, not fluent jumping, dropped to last at 3rd, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before next
attempted to make all, ridden clear after 2 out, mistake last and soon strongly pressed, headed and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden entering straight, 4th 3 out, soon moderate 3rd, no impression after 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, 2nd next, closed following leaders mistake at last, kept on to lead inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, ridden in 2nd 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, dropped behind and trailing from 4 out
Winning point-to-pointer CASEY TOP has been gradually improving as he has stepped up in trip over hurdles and could hardly have been more impressive than when scoring over the C&D last time. He probably has more to offer and can take this though he's up against in-form rivals and it won't be easy. Bacher Boy ran a fine race on his hat-trick attempt at Galway where he was only outpaced on the run-in and Moon Dice lost little in defeat by Carrigmartin at Sligo and is still improving. Queiros Bleu didn't appear to be at his best at Bellewstown last time but he would appreciate some rain.
Bacher Boy (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, mistake 6th, improved to challenge before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and challenged last, headed run-in, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Persian Gayle (11-6) at Galway 2m 4f nh nov hdl gf in Jul.
Casey Top (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Led, headed before 6th, remained close up, led again before 2 out, soon ridden clear, easily, won at Killarney 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 in Jul beating Your Busy (9-10) by 5l, 14 ran.
Moon Dice (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden into 2nd 2 out, challenged before last where slight mistake, no extra run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Carrigmartin (11-12) at Sligo 2m 4f nh nov hdl gd.
Queiros Bleu (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden in 4th and no extra 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 10l behind Grey Soldier (11-5) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gf in Jul.
First Beauty (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 7th after 3 out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from next, 10th of 19, 24l behind Novel Investment (11-1) at Galway 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 gd in Jul.
Regal Ambition (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 5f out, 4th and no impression straight, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 18l behind The Real Article (11-9) at Tipperary 2m 4f N H flat gf in Jun.
