ran freely early, led before 2nd, jumped right 3rd, slight mistake 4 out, headed before 2 out, ridden and mistake last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, slight mistake 4 out, 3rd entering straight, ridden into 2nd last, pressed winner run-in, just held
led, headed before 2nd and chased leader, 3rd halfway, improved to challenge entering straight, ridden to lead before 2 out, kept on well under pressure from before last, all out
held up in 4th, ridden after 2 out, closer last, 3rd and no impression leaders run-in, kept on same pace
always in rear, no impression before 2 out, ridden 2 out, weakened
TARLA's chase career has been a little hit-and-miss so far and she's been a victim of her own enthusiasm on a couple of occasions. But she's useful when everything comes together and, with a recent absence unlikely to be a problem, can give weight to these. Byerley Babe did well to beat Une Artiste in a Grade 2 at Thurles last month and will make a bold bid to complete her hat-trick. She has the beating of Hill Rock but has a few pounds to find with the selection on official ratings, as does recent Cork hurdles winner Avondhu Lady. Lead Kindly Light was a long way behind Willie Mullins' mare in a Grade 2 at Clonmel last season and shouldn't reverse running here.
Tarla (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Made all, clear early, not fluent 4th, big jump 6th, dragged hind end through next, clear 5 out, reduced lead but going best before straight, clear again last, stayed on well, easily, won at Limerick 2m 3f sft in May beating Caheronaun (10-13) by 10l, 7 ran.
Byerley Babe (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up early, mistake 1st, mid-division before halfway, progress into 5th 6 out, slight mistake 4 out, travelled well in 4th entering straight, ridden to challenge after 2 out, close up in 2nd last, disputed run-in, just prevailed at line, won at Thurles 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan beating Une Artiste (11-0) by ns, 11 ran.
Avondhu Lady (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Soon led and disputed, in front from 6 out, narrow leader 3 out, went clear approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Cork 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 80-109 hvy in Jan beating Evesham Star (11-1) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lead Kindly Light (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, improved 6 out, 5th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 21l behind Emily Gray (10-13) at Limerick 2m mares hcp hdl 80-123 hvy in Dec.
Dancin' Glory (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, mistake 2nd, clear after 3rd, reduced advantage 5th where slight mistake, ridden and headed before 4 out, weakened, 16th of 17, well behind Royal Flight (11-7) at Down Royal 2m cond hcp hdl 80-102 sft in Dec.
Hill Rock (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Soon mid-division, closer in 5th 5 out, 2nd after 3 out, 3rd and no impression from 2 out, left 2nd again and kept on same pace from last,, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Byerley Babe (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f beg chs hvy in Dec.
Summer Star (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Prominent, led from 5 out, ridden from 3 out, headed entering straight, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 13, 15l behind Aibrean (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f mrs beg chs sft in Jan.
