chased leaders, outpaced over 4f out, plugged on again final 2f
mid-division on inside, pushed along 4f out, plugged on final 2f
mid-division, headway chasing leaders halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
prominent, led after 2f, headed and not pace of winner towards finish
always towards rear
held up in last pair, good headway on wide outside chasing leaders 5f out, went 2nd entering straight, ridden and every chance 1f out, lost 2nd and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear of mid-division, headway on outside 4f out, kept on final 2f
slight lead 2f, mostly tracked leader after until entering straight, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 2nd again and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner towards finish
prominent until weakened quickly 5f out
raced wide and soon chasing leaders, pushed along and every chance over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, steady headway towards outside over 5f out, chasing leaders before the straight, ridden in centre over 1f out, led towards finish, won going away
Willie Mullins had three entered at the early stage and relies on ROYAL ILLUSION. Very impressive victories at Punchestown and Cork suggest she's well above average and she's very difficult to oppose. Danse Idol followed her point-to-point victory with a good second at Punchestown and was bought by Highclere Thoroughbreds for £110,000 and sent to Paul Nicholls. Legends Gold, an easy winner between the flags, made a promising bumper debut at Aintree and can only improve while Mrs Hyde made all and stayed on very strongly at Ludlow. Cedar Valley started a short-priced favourite at Carlisle but was no match for Mega Yeats, who made all and galloped on strongly. Ruth Jefferson's filly could provide the main threat though there are plenty of unexposed types in opposition including The Glancing Queen, bought for £80,000 after winning a point in Ireland.
Cardigan Bay (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gd in Sep beating Winter Holiday (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Cedar Valley (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 16, 5 3/4l behind Mega Yeats (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gs in Oct.
Danse Idol (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inner, 6th halfway, some headway approaching straight, ridden 2f out and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on to go 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Relegate (11-7) at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.
Kalifornia (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) In touch, driven over 3f out, kept on same on same pace under pressure final 2f, never troubled leaders, 5th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Mega Yeats (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gs in Oct.
Legends Gold (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged left, kept on, headed inside final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Briery Express (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Mega Yeats (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Made virtually all, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, asserted clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) gs in Oct beating Redbridge Gold (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Moor Freedom 50-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, edged left and ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Emitom (10-11) at Warwick 2m (5) gs in Apr.
Mrs Hyde (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Made all and bit green in front, soon clear, reduced lead over 4f out, ridden and clear again 2f out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gf in Oct beating Miss Heritage (11-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
Pink Rock (IRE) Westerner filly out of Eliane Di Rupette.
Poperinghe Ginger (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Briery Express (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Royal Illusion (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Led, headed inside first 3f, tracked leaders after, closed up travelling smoothly from before straight, led 2f out, soon pushed along to assert, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Cork 2m Good - Yielding in Nov beating Owenacurra Lass (11-9) by 14l, 10 ran.
Stacey Sue (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Made all, shaken up and ran on inside final furlong, unchallenged, won at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Sep beating Golden Promise (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Tashunka (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up behind, outpaced on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 12, 12l behind Briery Express (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
The Glancing Queen (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Tr ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, 2nd app str, prog to ld appr last, alw holding runner-up run-in, cosily, won at Horse And Jockey 3m mdn gs in Mar beating Tippingituptonancy (11-11) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Crossgalesfamegame (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Chsd ldr 2nd, mstk 6th, 3rd 1/2way & 3out, chall when mstk in 2nd last, no ex run-in, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Wild Polly (11-6) at Largy 3m mdn Yielding in Apr.
