led, ridden and pressed 2 out, soon headed, no extra before last
held up, 6th halfway, progress in 4th entering straight, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge and mistake last, kept on well to dispute run-in and edged ahead closing stages
held up, slight mistake 1st, 5th halfway, closer in 4th 2 out, ridden after 2 out, no impression on leaders in 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, 3rd halfway, lost place and slight mistake 3 out, soon ridden towards rear, no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace from before last
held up in rear, slight mistake 3 out, closer in 5th 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 4th when slight mistake last, kept on same pace
held up behind leaders in 4th, keen hold and closer briefly at 2nd, improved into 2nd entering straight, led after 2 out, ridden before last where pressed, joined and disputed run-in, no extra in 2nd closing stages
chased leader, slight mistake 2nd, 2nd halfway, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra 2 out
Willie Mullins is going all out to defend his trainer's title and is mob-handed here with four of the seven runners. LET'S DANCE gained her fifth successive victory when taking the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham from today's rival Barra. The latter looked to be going comfortably throughout but had no answer when the winner quickened and it's difficult to see a form reversal. Airlie Beach went into that race unbeaten in seven but was in a battle for the lead from the start and she was soon beaten when tackled. That was nowhere near her true form and she can do much better. Augusta Kate found three miles taxing her stamina in the Albert Bartlett and this is more her trip while Colin's Sister has done brilliantly for Fergal O'Brien, who wouldn't be taking on the Irish big guns unless he thought the Sandown Grade 2 winner capable of running a big race.
Airlie Beach (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Not much room 1st, soon led, headed 3rd, slow 5th, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, eased, 14th of 16, 29 3/4l behind Let's Dance (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
Augusta Kate 11-2 (10-12) Held up behind, blundered 8th, struggling before 2 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure from last, never nearer, 6th of 15, 25 1/2l behind Penhill (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Barra (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway 2 out, shaken up in close 3rd at the last, carried right flat, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Let's Dance (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar.
Colin's Sister Evensfav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, jumped right 3rd, 2nd before 6th, led going well approaching 2 out, soon clear, in no danger when went right and hit last, soon hung right, driven out, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb beating Happy Diva (11-2) by 9l, 5 ran.
Good Thyne Tara 4-11fav (11-7) Settled behind leaders, bad mistake 1st, slight mistake 3rd, progress into 4th halfway, closer 3 out, challenged entering straight, led before 2 out, steadied and slightly untidy last, not extended, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating White Lilac (10-13) by 10l, 18 ran.
Let's Dance (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway between last 2, switched left before leading and reaching for last, quickened away flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gd in Mar beating Barra (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Shattered Love (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced and behind, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Willoughby Court (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar.
