mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, hampered 5th, soon lost place, no danger after
mid-division, headway after 4th, hampered 5th, mistake next, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, soon headed, kept on same pace last
chased leader until 4th, niggled along before next, not much room on bend after 7th, soon lost place, weakened 3 out
in rear, several slow jumps, just about in touch 6th, mistake 7th, outpaced and hard ridden from 3 out, still plenty to do from 2 out, progress and 6 lengths 4th last, ran on strongly flat to lead towards finish, idled and headed post
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened under pressure after 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
led, mistake 6th, hit 2 out, soon driven, headed approaching last, held in 3rd when mistake last, stayed on same pace flat
held up and behind, not fluent 5th, stayed on approaching last but never in contention
held up in rear, pushed along after 4th, struggling 6th
chased leaders, fell 5th
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway when hampered 5th, ridden from 2 out, one paced approaching last
held up, jumped right 6th, steady headway when stumbled 3 out, led approaching last where jumped right, headed towards finish, rallied to regain lead post
chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 2nd, losing place when hampered 5th, behind when mistake 7th
Chomba Womba has long been a warm order for the inaugural running of this race but there's better value to be had with Labelthou. Sweet Kiln arguably sets the standard whilst Theatre Girl, Gaspara and Whiteoak make most appeal of the remainder. Labelthou is better known as a stayer and, indeed finished in midfield in last year's World Hurdle, but she has also won three of her four starts at around this trip. She's running as well as ever this season, the ground should retain enough moisture for her to be effective and few will be staying on stronger up the hill. Chomba Womba showed a decent level of form in Ireland last season and has impressed for her current connections. She produced a game performance to beat Theatre Girl over an extended 2 miles at Doncaster last time and has leading claims but is a shorter price than her form deserves. Theatre Girl lacks the experience of that pair and has yet to race over this trip but there are no worries on either score as she is bred to stay and has been very professional. This is an altogether tougher task but she's a promising sort. Gaspara won at last year's Festival which is in her favour and she has leading claims on her run here in January; it may pay to forgive her a slightly disappointing effort last time and a visor could bring about a little improvement. Sweet Kiln is remarkably consistent and versatile; she has been mixing it with some of the best in Ireland and only went down by a short-head to Aitmatov in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle in December. She has leading claims but we'll take Labelthou to cap a fine week for Emma Lavelle.
Annie's Answer (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders lost place after 5th, 4th of 9, 20l behind Chomba Womba (11-5) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Chomba Womba (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, stayed on gamely, won at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan beating Theatre Girl (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Labelthou (FR) 10-3 (11-5) Led until 9th, remained prominent and led again 3 out, in command next, easily, won at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan beating Refinement (11-5) by 3l, 9 ran.
Refinement (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Lough Derg (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Shatabdi (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 18, 19l behind Backbord (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Sweet Kiln (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Raced mainly in 4th, 3rd approaching 3 out, challenged under pressure in 2nd before last, no impression and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Earth Magic (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m hdl Grd 3 hvy in Jan.
Gaspara (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, led 9th, headed 3 out, soon under pressure, kept on gamely, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Labelthou (11-5) at Ascot 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Silver Charmer 25-1 (11-2) Held up last, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Refinement (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f lst hdl (1) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Helens Vision 13-2 (11-12) Soon held up in touch, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 10, 21l behind Whiteoak (11-8) at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Magical Legend 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led after 8th, ridden 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Joli Classical (9-11) by 2l, 8 ran.
Theatre Girl 7-4 (11-0) Held up mid division, chased winner after 3 out, half a length down when not fluent last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Chomba Womba (11-5) at Doncaster 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Whiteoak (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, jumped right last, driven clear, won at Ascot 2m mrs nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Zahra's Place (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
La Vecchia Scuola (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Raced wide, mid-division, headway and effort last, one pace under pressure flat, 4th of 13, 13l behind Ignotus (11-2) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
