a little keen, waited with towards rear, not always fluent jumping, dropped to last after 3 out, soon weakened
waited with, some slight mistakes, 4th after 3rd, pushed along to go 3rd approaching straight, soon no impression, hit last, one pace
prominent, soon 2nd, lost position approaching straight, soon weakened
prominent, soon 3rd, chased winner in 2nd approaching straight, soon one pace
chased leaders, 5th after 3rd, slight mistake 2 out and one pace
waited with in rear, some headway after 3 out, no impression after next, went moderate 4th straight, slight mistake last, one pace
waited with towards rear, fell 2nd
made all, soon went on, wandered slightly approaching 4th, still travelling smoothly approaching straight, stayed on well from before last, comfortably
CONCERTISTA arrived at Cheltenham for the Mares' Hurdle in superb form and looked like winning when leading at the last. However, she was run out of it close home by Black Tears and probably wasn't quite at her best. Compensation awaits here though as we have seen throughout the week any one of her three stable companions could spoil the party in particular Stormy Ireland, who was having her first run for the yard since leaving Paul Nicholls when landing a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse. Burning Victory returns to action for the first time after landing last year's Triumph Hurdle from Aspire Tower, who has franked the form this season. Skyace has carried the flag for Shark Hanlon this season, beating three Mullins-trained runners when landing the Grade 1 Mares' Novice Championship Final at Fairyhouse.
Burning Victory (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Held up behind, headway on outside after 2 out, stayed on into 2nd and 10 lengths down when left in narrow lead last, ridden out flat, stayed on well towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Mar beating Aspire Tower (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Concertista (FR) 10-11fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, headway after 7th, mistake and went 2nd 2 out, led before not fluent last, driven flat, headed last strides, 2nd of 10, hd behind Black Tears (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Laurina (FR) 11-8fav (10-7) Raced freely, tracked winner, not fluent and joined for 2nd from 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, last of 3, dist behind Song For Someone (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) sft in Nov.
Minella Melody (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced after next, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Black Tears (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
My Sister Sarah (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, stumbled slightly after 7th, closed on outside after 3 out, 5th and not pace of leaders when switched left before last, well held flat, 5th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Black Tears (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Politesse (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Raced keenly off the pace in 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 8, 33 1/2l behind Pink Sheets (11-0) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Skyace (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, edged left and bumped rival approaching 2 out, pushed along to challenge after 2 out and soon on terms, ridden and led narrowly approaching last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr beating Gauloise (11-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Made all, soon clear, reduced advantage of 2 lengths halfway, travelled well and 4 lengths lead when slight mistake 2 out, pushed along approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in, held on well, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Apr beating French Dynamite (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Global Equity (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Prominent, soon raced in 2nd, challenged and on terms into straight, soon led, headed approaching last where bad mistake and one pace, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Gauloise (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst (1) Yielding in Apr.
