held up in rear, headway from 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace in 4th before last
led, hit 4th, soon clear, pressed before last, kept on gamely, held on towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, every chance last, kept on gamely run-in, held towards finish
tracked leader, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
Dusky Legend was third in last year’s Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and it’s no surprise to see her back over hurdles after a fall over fences last time. But she’s never won on ground this soft, though was well ahead of recent winner The Nipper over the larger obstacles at Bangor in November. Irish Roe has only been beaten once over hurdles and won a couple of handicaps over course and distance last month. But she was well behind DAME ROSE in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last season and Richard Hobson’s mare, who won the bumper on this card last year, is a danger to all on her defeat of Cap Soleil at Newbury last month – she found 2m4f too far on a return visit. Maria's Benefit never looked like being caught last time at Taunton and has won four in a row since a beaten favourite on her hurdling debut at Worcester but she may not get her own way out in front today and was also behind the selection in that Aintree bumper.
Dame Rose (FR) 3-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led until 4th, chased leader, hit 6th and 4 out, lost 2nd after 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 5f (1) hvy in Dec.
Maria's Benefit (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Made all, drew clear on bit after 4 out, unchallenged after, very easily, impressive, won at Taunton 2m lst (1) sft in Dec beating If You Say Run (11-2) by 30l, 5 ran.
Dusky Legend 4-1 (11-6) Held up in touch in rear, left in 4th place at 4th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down and travelling well enough when fell next, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Irish Roe (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) In touch, went 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Dec beating Mohaayed (11-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Smart Talk (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Made most until after 3 out, weakened after next, 13th of 16, dist behind Limini (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
The Nipper (IRE) 6-4 (11-12) Tracked sole rival, led before 8th, headed 10th, shaken up after 3 out, led 2 out, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Tacenda (11-10) by 3 1/4l, 2 ran.
