not much room 1st, soon led, headed 3rd, slow 5th, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, eased
mid-division, ridden and brief effort after 2 out, no impression, weakening when not much room before last
held up in touch on inside, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
led, jumped left 1st, soon headed, led 3rd, not fluent 2 out, headed between last 2, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway between last 2, switched left before leading and reaching for last, quickened away flat
tracked leaders on outside, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, every chance between last 2, unable to quicken last, kept on under pressure flat
held up in mid-division, mistake 2 out, headway and switched left before last, no impression on leaders, kept on same pace
held up in mid-division, lost place before 3rd, not clear run and switched right soon after home bend, headway into 6th last, stayed on, nearest finish
held up in mid-division, headway 2 out, shaken up in close 3rd at the last, carried right flat, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, kept on under pressure
prominent, lost place after 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place before 3 out, weakened after next
towards rear when went wrong and fell after 2nd
tracked leaders, led between last 2, headed last, soon edged right, kept on under pressure, no extra close home
held up in rear, well beaten after 2 out, no impression
La Bague Au Roi was only beaten once in bumpers and she’s got a perfect record over hurdles. Warren Greatrex’ six-year-old holds Dusky Legend and is clearly a smart performer so looks the pick of the home team in this but the Irish are mounting a strong challenge, especially Willie Mullins. Airlie Beach has yet to taste defeat and beat the boys in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December when last seen, though was undoubtedly helped by the fall of favourite Peace News. Forge Meadow was last of the five finishers that day and there’s no reason why she should reverse that form here. But the vote goes to LET’S DANCE, who has not stopped improving since beaten by Tuesday’s Mares’ Hurdle winner Apple’s Jade in the Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle at Punchestown last April. She’s won all four races since, including in this grade at Leopardstown in January when the aforementioned Peace News was a well-beaten fourth.
Airlie Beach (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led, joined briefly 3 out, jumped left next, ridden to go 4 lengths clear approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Dec beating Saturnas (11-10) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Coillte Lass (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 7 1/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, lost place before 4 out where 5th, closer in 4th before 2 out, disputed 2nd 2 out and left disputing lead, soon ridden to lead, kept on well from before last, asserted run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb beating Joey Sasa (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Made all, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m lst (1) gs in Nov beating Dusky Legend (11-3) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Let's Dance (FR) 8-11fav (10-10) Tracked leader, 3rd after 5th where mistake, impeded and left 2nd at 6th, closed up travelling smoothly before 2 out, soon on terms and led, asserted approaching last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) gd in Jan beating Kemboy (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
Tahira (GER) 7-2 (10-13) Made all, quickened before 3 out, mistake 2 out, found extra from last, kept on strongly, won at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Capitaine (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Dusky Legend 8-11fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, 2nd after 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace from next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Coillte Lass (11-2) at Taunton 2m lst (1) gd in Dec.
Asthuria (FR) 5-2 (10-13) Led, strongly pressed and almost joined when fell last, at Fairyhouse 2m 2f (1) Soft - Heavy in Feb.
Awayinthewest (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd at 7th, challenged from before 2 out where on terms, soon led, not fluent last, soon strongly pressed, kept on well, headed close home, 2nd of 15, hd behind Kate Appleby Shoes (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 2f mdn hvy in Feb.
Barra (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, disputed 3rd at 2nd, bad mistake 3 out, on terms from next, ridden straight, headed approaching last, soon no extra in 5th and one pace, 5th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Bacardys (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m 2f (1) sft in Feb.
Groovejet 7-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and well beaten after 4 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Lift The Lid (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Montana Belle (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, weakened before straight, 6th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Mick Jazz (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) sft in Feb.
On Demand 7-2 (11-4) Led, ridden after 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, one pace flat, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Tara View (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Toe The Line (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, went 4th before straight, soon 3rd and switched left, challenged from before last in 2nd where not fluent, every chance run-in, kept on well without matching winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Who's That (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp sft in Feb.
Verdana Blue (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Chased leaders, travelling well after 3 out, challenging when squeezed for room before 2 out, led and went right 2 out, clear when went right again last, easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Feb beating Whatduhavtoget (11-5) by 8l, 13 ran.
Titi De Montmartre (FR) (10-5) won at Enghien 2m 1f hvy in Nov beating Desinvolte (10-10) by 1l, 8 ran.
