led, mistake 3 out and headed next, no impression approaching last, no extra run-in
tracked leaders, travelled well to lead 2 out, slight mistake last and headed run-in, no impression on winner
always rear, detached before 4th and no extra after halfway, completely tailed off
tracked leader, slight mistake 3rd, 2nd halfway, ridden and no impression in 3rd after 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
chased leaders, moderate 4th and slight mistake 5th, pushed along and no impression entering straight, ridden after 2 out and progress before last, led run-in and kept on well
LISTEN DEAR is unbeaten in her last six starts, three of them over fences, and she was very impressive in a Cork Grade 3 last time. Though she is giving weight to her five rivals, it’s difficult to see her winning run coming to an end. Slowmotion looks the danger with her weight-for-age allowance as she beat Elusive Ivy, successful in a Leopardstown handicap next time, here last month and was a Grade 2 winner over hurdles. Keppols Queen had every chance when falling at the last in a Grade 2 at Thurles last month so isn’t dismissed out of hand but Solita hasn’t run over fences since April.
Listen Dear (IRE) 4-7fav (11-1) Led early, extended lead after third, in control 3 out, ran on well, easily, won at Cork 2m 1f (1) Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Misty Lady (10-11) by 8l, 8 ran.
Solita (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear early, 10th approaching 4th, briefly impeded after 3 out, no impression approaching last, 12th of 20, 9 1/2l behind Ice Cold Soul (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Dorkas 66-1 (11-5) Always behind, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 8th of 9, dist behind Acapella Bourgeois (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f sft in Jan.
Keppols Queen (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, disputed after 1st and led before 3rd, slight mistake 4th, mistake 4 out, ridden after 3 out, pressed 2 out, under pressure and joined when fell last, at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Slowmotion (FR) 4-6fav (11-1) Close up and disputed lead early, slight mistake 1st, headed from 2nd, chased leader after, challenged and not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along, slightly impeded by loose horse run-in and switched right, led and kept on well closing stages, won at Naas 2m sft in Jan beating Elusive Ivy (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Elusive Ivy (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, soon towards rear, improved 7th, tracked leaders in 4th approaching straight, switched right approaching last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp gd in Jan beating Powersbomb (11-8) by hd, 11 ran.
