led and disputed, clear of remainder, slightly slow jump 5th and reduced advantage, headed before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, led before straight, headed and no extra from before last, kept on same pace
prominent, 2nd into straight, no extra in 4th and kept on same pace from last
soon behind, kept on without threatening under pressure from 2 out
rear of mid-division, 9th approaching 2 out, kept on without threatening under pressure straight
waited with towards rear, 11th approaching 2 out, headway to chase leaders from before straight, ridden into 3rd at last, stayed on well run-in to lead near finish
soon chased leaders, 5th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
soon chased leaders, 5th into straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace
mid-division best, 8th approaching 2 out, soon no impression
soon mid-division, 7th approaching 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, mistake 2 out, soon no impression
towards rear for most, no impression from 3 out
led and disputed, clear of remainder, reduced lead 5th, headed and weakened from before straight
refused to race
waited with towards rear, good headway travelling well into 4th before straight, soon challenged, led before last and soon looked in command, no extra and caught near finish
The two four-year-olds at the bottom of the weights look the ones to concentrate on with their allowances. Gorgeous Sixty has taken a long time to find her feet since arriving from France but produced a much better performance in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last time and Ruby Walsh has chosen her over the very much in-form Vast Consumption. UNE ARTISTE was a long way in front of her when a surprise winner of the Fred Winter and she showed that Festival run wasn't a fluke when beating older rivals on a return visit last week. She won't mind the ground and this tough filly should take this for Nicky Henderson. Baby Shine ran well behind Simonsig at Aintree and deserves her place in this line-up but a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of Eyesontheprize, who demolished a decent field of maidens in very heavy ground on her hurdling debut at Thurles and her trainer won this a year ago.
Golden Sunbird (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, not pace of winner, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Our Girl Salley (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, mainly in touch, closed after 5th, challenged 2 out, no extra towards finish, 10th of 19, 7l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Vast Consumption (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead entering straight, ridden to assert before last, kept on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m hcp hdl gs beating The Way We Were (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Charlie's Vic (IRE) 1-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, led halfway, in control from 3 out and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mrs nov hdl in Mar beating Nanna Maura (11-7) by 4l, 5 ran.
Lucia Bay 14-1 (10-12) Chased leading pair until hit 6th, soon lost place, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Tap Night (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Mae's Choice (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon regained lead, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Lucia Bay (11-5) at Ayr 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Baby Shine (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, hung left and stayed on same pace after next, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Simonsig (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd.
Back In A Tic (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, niggled along early, kept on same pace from 3 out, 7th of 12, 10l behind Shadow Eile (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) (1) gd.
Burn And Turn (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 7th 4 out, closer in 3rd travelling well before straight, challenged 2 out and soon led, strongly pressed before last where narrowly headed, rallied and kept on well run-in, not quite match winner, 2nd of 12, nk behind Shadow Eile (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) (1) gd.
Eyesontheprize (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Always prominent, improved to lead entering straight, went clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, eased run-in, not extended, won at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl in Nov beating Back In A Tic (10-13) by 25l, 16 ran.
Flaming Pop (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, 6th approaching last, soon no impression and kept on, 4th of 12, 5l behind Shadow Eile (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) (1) gd.
Johny's Lantern (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Keen hold, close up, still travelling well and led into straight, stayed on well to draw clear run-in, won at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+) gd beating Sligo Publican (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lisrose (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 5th after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened (lame and coughing post race), 11th of 16, 26l behind Afram Blue (10-0) at Navan 2m 4f hcp hdl 80-109 gd in Mar.
Une Artiste (FR) 7-4 (10-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, shaken up flat, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f mares Listed nov hdl (1) sft beating Swincombe Flame (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Gorgeous Sixty (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 8th halfway, headway in 6th 2 out, 2nd before last, ridden to challenge last, kept on run-in, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Ballynacree (11-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Shadow Eile (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Waited with, closer in 6th 4 out, tracked leaders before straight, 3rd 2 out, challenged before last, soon led, stayed on well run-in to hold on close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) (4yo+) (1) gd beating Burn And Turn (11-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Definite Class (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Waited with behind leaders, mistake 10th, a little slow next, dropped to 5th 4 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Carrigeen Lechuga (10-11) at Thurles 3m mrs nov chs (5yo+) in Feb.
