tracked leader in 2nd, led approaching 4 out, ridden entering straight, challenged last, soon headed and no extra, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2 out, challenged last, soon led and kept on well
mid-division, 8th halfway, headway into 3rd before 3 out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 6th 2 out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, lost place before 4 out, ridden and no extra next
led, headed approaching 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, 10th halfway, headway into 6th 3 out, ridden and no extra entering straight
chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway into 4th 3 out, ridden in 5th entering straight, no extra 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, 7th halfway, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway into 7th 3 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace
chased leaders, 5th halfway, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden 2 out, no exta in 3rd and kept on same pace from last
soon trailing and pushed along, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
mid-division, 9th halfway, no impression before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
An excellent turnout for this very nice prize with little between the main contenders. Golden Sunbird has improved massively this season and had 18 lengths to spare over Definite Class over two miles at Limerick. She has won on good going so the ground shouldn't be a problem. She finished behind Knockfierna at Cork in December though there is little between the pair this time and the latter has never encountered quick ground. The latter statement also applies to Our Girl Salley, who had Shop Dj behind when scoring in very testing conditions at Leopardstown in December and has since won a Listed event here. BRAVE BEAUTY has something to find with the principles but gets the nod as she looked a very progressive type when scoring easily on good to soft going at Downpatrick and looks to have been laid out for this.
Golden Sunbird (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, close 2nd from 4th, ridden to lead after 3 out, went clear before next, ridden out and stayed on strongly from last, won at Limerick 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) sft in Mar beating Definite Class (11-4) by 18l, 9 ran.
Knockfierna (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Raced 3rd, progress to lead and ridden entering straight, strongly pressed from last, all out (ceased up in parade ring post-race), won at Limerick 2m 6f nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Dec beating Start Me Up (11-0) by shd, 5 ran.
Our Girl Salley (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) Settled behind leaders, 6th halfway, close in 4th entering straight, improved to challenge 2 out, led before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mares listed nov hdl (1) hvy in Jan beating Belle Brook (11-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Avondhu Lady (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along in 5th 5 out, no impression from before straight until kept on again without reaching leaders from between last 2, 3rd of 17, 2 1/4l behind Quiet Thought (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+).
Betty Is A Lady (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to track leaders from 5 out, 4th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 10l behind Last Instalment (11-12) at Limerick 2m 4f nh nov hdl.
Brave Beauty (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Settled behind leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th after 5th, improved to challenge after 3 out, soon led, challenged 2 out, asserted after last, easily, won at Downpatrick 2m 2f mrs nov hdl sft in Mar beating Belle Brook (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Definite Class (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden in moderate 4th entering straight, kept on one paced to go moderate 2nd on line, 2nd of 9, 18l behind Golden Sunbird (11-4) at Limerick 2m mares listed nov hdl (1) sft in Mar.
Gerdalia (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Soon mid-division, closed to track leaders travelling well before 3 out, on terms before straight, headed and no impression from before 2 out, 6th of 17, 15l behind Quiet Thought (11-2) at Limerick 2m 3f Mares Hurdle (5yo+).
Otterstown Lady (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, 8th 5 out, some progress after next, in touch when pulled up quickly after 3 out, in a race won by Grangeclare Gold (11-2) at Bellewstown 2m 4f hcp hdl gd in Aug, 11 ran.
Shop Dj (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, hampered after 3rd, ridden after 7th, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, pressing for 2nd flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Line Freedom (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f mares nov hcp hdl Listed (1) gd in Mar.
Takeyourcapoff (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Chased leaders mainly 5th, ridden early straight, no extra from before last, 6th of 7, 16l behind Anshan Dreams (11-6) at Cork 2m nh nov hdl gf in Oct.
Wood Lily (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up, 8th halfway, headway into 6th before straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, kept on same pace from before last, 5th of 10, 12l behind Canaly (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m nh nov hdl.
