chased leaders, closed from before 6th, left in lead from 4 out, joined before 2 out but still travelling well, led again last and stayed on well to assert run-in, comfortably
waited with towards rear, a bit slow 2nd, moderate 8th before 3 out, soon no danger, kept on
waited with, bad mistake 6th, moderate 9th before 3 out, soon no extra, pulled up before 2 out
waited with towards rear, closer in moderate 5th before 3 out, no extra from before straight and pulled up before last
chased leaders, closed from before 6th, no impression under pressure in 3rd from before 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, closed from before 6th, no extra from before 3 out and pulled up before next
chased leaders, closed from before 6th, ridden next, moderate 4th and kept on same pace from before 3 out
towards rear, ridden 7 out, moderate 7th before 3 out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
led, soon clear, reduced lead before 6th, still in front when fell 4 out
always prominent, on terms before 2 out, headed and no impression last, kept on same pace run-in
KNOCKFIERNA has a double penalty to carry for her two victories at this level but she'll be very difficult to beat. Her winning run was interrupted when she ran out at the second last when still in front of Sir Des Champs here in December and the exploits of the winner at Cheltenham put a shine to the run. Useful hurdler Banjaxed Girl finished runner-up to Rathlin at Fairyhouse and can make further progress but the main threat may emerge in the shape of Belle Brook, who was less than 2l behind Knockfierna at Thurles and is a couple of pounds better off. She also holds Carrigeen Lechuga on their run at Cork in January though the latter has definitely improved since.
Knockfierna (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Soon mid-division, chased leaders in moderate 3rd from 5 out, closed and challenged in 2nd before 2 out, led last, stayed on well to assert run-in, won at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs Gr3 (1) sft in Jan beating Belle Brook (10-11) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Carrigeen Lechuga (IRE) 15-8 (10-11) Led and disputed, 2nd before 7 out, in front again 4 out, clear before straight, good jumps last 2 and stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thurles 3m mrs nov chs (5yo+) in Feb beating Ballinahow Lady (10-13) by 5l, 6 ran.
Cloughmile (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway to join leaders 3 out, soon ridden and no extra from early straight, 7th of 15, well behind Up For The Match (9-11) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft in Feb.
Lead Kindly Light (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Held up towards rear, moderate 6th 4 out, under pressure in moderate 5th when fell next, in a race won by The Sneezer (9-8) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs sft, 10 ran.
Ask Me Sister (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led and disputed, ridden 4 out, headed into straight, 3rd 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, left 2nd from last, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Ross Na Righ (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chase sft.
Askanna (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Waited with, hampered 7th, no impression from 5 out and pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Knockfierna (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs Gr3 (1) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Avondhu Lady (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, struggling from 5 out, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 32l behind Knockfierna (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs Gr3 (1) sft in Jan.
Banjaxed Girl 3-1 (10-11) Raced mostly 2nd, 3rd from 9th until regained 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, closed on winner run-in but never threatened, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Rathlin (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f nov chs hvy in Feb.
Belle Brook (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Attempted to make all, slightly slow at 2nd, jumped well in the main, clear approaching 7 out, reduced lead from before 4 out, headed last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Knockfierna (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f mrs nov chs Gr3 (1) sft in Jan.
Special Token (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Always rear, moderate 4th before halfway, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Slieveardagh (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f nov chs gd.
