in rear, closed from 4 out, soon 3rd, pushed along approaching straight, soon no impression, dropped to last again approaching last and not fluent, eased
led, pressed into straight, soon joined, headed approaching 2 out, no extra and one pace after, just held on for 2nd
raced in 2nd, slightly slow 5th, travelling smoothly and closed up and effort into straight, soon on terms, led approaching 2 out, quickly asserted, hit last, stayed on well run-in, easily
raced in 3rd, slightly slow 5th, slight mistake 4 out, soon dropped to rear, pushed along from next and still well in touch, no impression approaching straight, some headway from 2 out, kept on run-in, just failed for 2nd
SHATTERED LOVE, a dual Grade 1 winner, has been here twice and won both including this a year ago. She faces better class opposition this time but warmed up with a fair run behind stable companion The Storyteller in a Punchestown Grade 3 last month and the winner followed up at the highest level at Down Royal. Magic Of Light has won eight of her 30 races though she's best remembered for chasing home Tiger Roll in last year's Grand National. She was in superb form last winter, scoring at Newbury and Ascot, but generally needs her opening run. Cabaret Queen has progressed into a top handicapper this campaign, finishing a close third in the Galway Plate before landing the lucrative Kerry National at Listowel. She is capable of going higher in the ratings and looks the main threat. Western Victory fell at the last when in the lead at Listowel before a very easy victory over 2m2f here and like Bridge Native is in cracking form, though this looks a step too far.
Bridge Native (IRE) 5-1fav (11-6) Disputed until led before 5th, not fluent 7th, pressed before 2 out, pushed along and 1 length lead when left well clear last, kept on well, comfortably, won at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct beating Email Rose (11-1) by 8l, 13 ran.
Cabaret Queen 6-1 (10-9) Made all, 5 lengths clear after 3 out, jumped right next, 3 lengths advantage when jumped right last, ridden and edged left run-in, all out and just held on, won at Listowel 3m hcp sft in Sep beating Moyhenna (10-8) by ns, 17 ran.
Shattered Love (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, slight mistake 11th, 5th 4 out, ridden in 6th next, 5th 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 20 1/2l behind The Storyteller (11-2) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Western Victory (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader in 2nd, challenged entering straight, led before 2 out, clear before last where slight mistake, pushed out run-in, easily, won at Clonmel 2m 2f sft in Oct beating Make My Heart Fly (11-12) by 16l, 8 ran.
Magic Of Light (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Led, joined from 4th, headed next, hit 6th, on terms approaching straight, soon led again and pushed along, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, last of 8, 32l behind Cracking Smart (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f (1) hvy in Feb.
