prominent and tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress to challenge 4 out, ridden after next and dropped to 6th 2 out, no extra
prominent and tracked leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 7th after 3 out, no extra from next
slowly away, soon in touch and 11th halfway, progress into 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression before last, no extra run-in
mid-division, 7th halfway, progress 3 out and went 2nd before next, led last and kept on under pressure run-in
in rear, slight mistake 9th, some progress into 9th early straight, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, mid-division halfway and pushed along 6 out, no extra 4 out and pulled up before next
towards rear, slow 8th in rear, pushed along 4 out and some progress into 8th early straight, no impression approaching last, kept on into moderate 5th run-in
chased leaders, dropped towards rear halfway, detached 5 out, pulled up before next
prominent and tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened
tracked leader, 3rd halfway, progress to lead 3 out, ridden and headed last, under pressure and kept on run-in
towards rear, 10th approaching 4 out, no extra after next, weakened
rear of mid-division, pushed along 6 out, 11th 4 out, no extra from 2 out
led after 1st, strongly pressed and headed 3 out, ridden and dropped to 4th next, no extra approaching last
mid-division, slight mistake 6th, 8th halfway, ridden in 4th after 3 out, no impression when slight mistake last, no extra
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra after 3 out
A few of these are returning from a break - notably Katys Girl, She's Got Grit and The Lady Granuaile - while the bottom four are also racing from out of the handicap proper thanks to the inclusion of the Henderson trio. Une Artiste beat Nadiya De La Vega and Burn And Turn in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse 11 days ago but was all out to do so and the placed mares are both better off at the weights today. It's significant that Barry Geraghty prefers UTOPIE DES BORDES, who won four times over fences in France including a Grade 1. She led until after the last over hurdles in a Grade 3 at Aintree last month and should take all the beating here if anywhere near her best. Backinthere is fancied to reverse Thurles running with Lisrose and could sneak into a place back over fences with Paul Townend doing the steering.
Nadiya De La Vega (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 6th halfway, pushed along when bumped 2 out, ridden and progress into 3rd approaching last, under pressure and kept on well run-in, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Une Artiste (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) in Apr.
Utopie Des Bordes (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Led, ridden before and headed last, no extra last 100 yards, 5th of 22, 6l behind Doctor Harper (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Une Artiste (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, 3rd halfway, progress 2 out and ridden to lead approaching last, under pressure and kept on run-in, held on close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) in Apr beating Nadiya De La Vega (11-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Burn And Turn (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered 2nd, 5th halfway, 3rd 5 out and progress to dispute approaching straight, ridden and headed after 2 out, under pressure and no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Une Artiste (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mares chs Grd 3 (1) in Apr.
Fantastic Gold 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, pushed along in 11th after 2 out, kept on one pace in straight, 8th of 16, 11l behind Noble Call (11-11) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-102 gd in Apr.
Civena (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Soon chased leaders, 4th approaching 4 out, no extra from next, weakened and eased straight,, 11th of 19, well behind Jupitor (10-10) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs sft in Apr.
Tempest River (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 10th, closed after next, 5th and in touch when stumbled and nearly unseated rider 4 out, no impression after, stayed on flat, 4th of 7, 20l behind Me And Ben (9-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Apr.
Katys Girl (IRE) 3-1 (10-5) Led, slow 7th, not fluent 9th, hit 5 out, soon headed, weakened next, left in remote 2nd at last, 2nd of 3, 21l behind Robbie (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov.
Backinthere (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, led 5 out, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed entering straight, under pressure in 4th 2 out, no extra before last, 7th of 10, 15l behind Clara Mc Cloud (11-6) at Limerick 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl in Apr.
She's Got Grit (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Chased leaders, closer order approaching 4 out, challenged and on terms from 3 out, gained narrow lead last, stayed on well run-in, won at Navan 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 sft in Jan beating Orpheus Valley (10-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Coolharbour Breeze (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led and disputed and soon well clear of 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, kept on in 2nd from last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Cheap As Chips (10-2) at Tramore 2m hcp chs 0-109 in Apr.
Lisrose (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 45l behind Lord Alfie (10-6) at Wexford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-116 sft in Apr.
Lough Roe Lady (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 4th 4 out, pushed along and no impression 2 out, left 3rd after last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Imperial Joey (9-10) at Ballinrobe 2m 1f hcp chs 0-123 gd in Apr.
Sugar Bullet (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Always prominent, on terms from before straight where came close with rival, soon led, stayed on well run-in, won at Kilbeggan 2m 4f mrs beg chs gd in Apr beating Waltz Legend (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
The Lady Granuaile (USA) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders and 7th halfway, headway to go 5th briefly 3 out but no impression in 8th entering straight, no extra, 11th of 17, 19l behind Tabhachtach (11-0) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-116 gd in Oct.
Killtilane Rose (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 6th 4 out, ridden in 5th next, moderate 5th 2 out, went moderate 2nd at last, kept on without threatening winner, 2nd of 15, 16l behind Highbrow Blue (11-12) at Wexford 2m 3f beg chase sft in Apr.
