led, clear with winner from 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, driven and no impression run in
in rear, behind from 9th, pulled up 4 out
held up, ridden 11th, no impression
held up, slow 1st, went moderate 3rd at 6th, blundered 11th, lost 3rd 4 out, plugged on
pressed and clear with leader 3rd, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, gamely
not fluent chased clear leading pair until 6th, ridden 11th, went 3rd again 4 out, plugged on
Nonrunner
Willie Mullins sends across GITANE DU BERLAIS for this and she will take the beating. Third behind a couple of stablemates in a Listed hurdle contest at Punchestown recently, she has won two of her three starts over fences including the Grade 1 Scilly Novices' Chase at Sandown back in January. Emily Gray looks best of the rest on these terms having opened her account over fences at Fontwell where Ebony Empress was disputing second when falling at the last. Jennys Surprise is a dual winner over hurdles and preferred to fellow chasing newcomer Classic Palace but both Little Glenshee and Amethyst Rose have a stack to find at the weights.
Gitane Du Berlais (FR) 8-11fav (11-6) Led, pressed straight and joined, headed and dropped to 3rd approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Whiteout (10-10) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Amethyst Rose (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Behind, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th place near finish, no impression on leaders, 4th of 10, dist behind Indian Voyage (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Classic Palace (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along in 4th and outpaced after 8th, no threat after, 4th of 10, dist behind Western Miller (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Ebony Empress (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Led until approaching 8th, chased winner, went right 2 out, 2 lengths down when fell last, at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov.
Emily Gray (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 7th, led approaching 8th, clear before 3 out, hit 2 out and stumbled, hung right and driven before last where left 2 lengths clear, hung right run-in, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov beating Cresswell Breeze (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Jennys Surprise (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, not fluent 5th, every chance 2 out, hung left and no impression towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Grape Tree Flame (11-6) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in May.
Little Glenshee (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led until 7th, remained prominent, hard driven approaching 10th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 9, 34l behind Fourth Act (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
