tracked leader in 2nd, led 4 out, strongly pressed and headed after 2 out, soon no extra, weakened and pulled up before last
held up towards rear in 6th, ridden in 5th after 2 out and no extra from before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead after 2 out, soon ridden and headed approaching last, no extra in 3rd run-in
led, headed 4 out, ridden and dropped to 4th entering straight, no extra under pressure from before last
settled in 5th, smooth headway to close after 2 out, led approaching last, ridden to assert run-in and stayed on well
held up in rear, 5th approaching 3 out, good headway to challenge entering straight, pushed along before last, no impression on winner run-in
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and dropped to rear approaching 3 out, weakened and pulled up before last
QUEVEGA gained her fourth success in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham where she didn't need to be at her best to beat an ordinary bunch. She's won this against much stiffer opposition for the past two years and has beaten most of these at some stage during her 12-win career. Voler La Vedette finished 7l fourth a year ago but has definitely improved this year having twice beaten last year's runner-up Mourad. She produced an even better run when giving Big Buck's a scare at The Festival and should give the likely favourite a race. Get Me Out Of Here tackles this trip for the first time but it should suit and he arrives in superb form having finished runner-up in the Coral Cup and landed a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse.
Berties Dream (IRE) 9-10fav (11-0) Led, attempted to assert 3 out, joined last, soon in front again and stayed on well, won at Thurles 3m hdl gf beating Empire Theatre (10-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Mikael D'haguenet (FR) 50-1 (11-10) In touch on outside, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Mourad (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led narrowly 8th, driven and headed before 2 out, lost place between last 2, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 40l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Whatuthink (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, pulled up before 8 out, in a race won by Lion Na Bearnai (10-5) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f Ext hcp ch gs, 29 ran.
Quevega (FR) 4-7fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, led approaching last, quickened clear final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar beating Kentford Grey Lady (11-0) by 4l, 19 ran.
Voler La Vedette (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Patiently ridden, held up in rear, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, went 2nd when switched right towards stands side rail approaching last, ridden and every chance flat, held final 50 yards, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Big Buck's (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G1 (1) gd in Mar.
What A Charm (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, not much room when lost place on bend after 6th, again not much room after next, stayed on flat, no impression, 11th of 19, 7l behind Quevega (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gd in Mar.
Get Me Out Of Here (IRE) 7-4 (11-3) Held up, 7th halfway, headway in 4th entering straight, ridden into 2nd before last, led last, kept on well run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) gs beating Tofino Bay (11-3) by 4l, 8 ran.
Won In The Dark (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, 6th when brought down 8th, in a race won by Big Buck's (11-7) at Aintree 3m hdl G1 (1) gs, 8 ran.
