chased leaders, led 2nd, went clear 4th, reduced lead when hit 2 out, headed soon after, weakened between last two
mid-division on inside, pushed along before 2 out, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before the last
held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd between last two, every chance last, found no extra final 110 yards
held up and behind, headway run-in, never on terms with principals
chased leader who went clear 4th, pushed along and no impression when lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened quickly
towards rear, jumped slowly 5th, headway chasing leaders approaching 2 out, weakened quickly soon after 2 out
led until 2nd, chased leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and lost 3rd before 2 out, ridden and weakened between last two
always towards rear, never involved
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before the last
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor
mid-division, ridden and headway out wide chasing leader before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, strongly pressed last, found extra and stayed on gamely to assert final 110 yards
held up and behind, headway out wide chasing leaders when hit 4 out, ridden and unable to quicken before 2 out, kept on from last, never going pace to threaten
FABLE landed the odds when beating Mrs Barnes more than eight lengths at Haydock and it’s difficult to see the runner-up reversing the form, despite more favourable terms. Nicky Henderson’s mare is on a steep upward curve and worth sticking with. Emmpressive Lady is 7lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago but has only raced twice since and looks to have been laid out for the race again. Could Be Trouble didn’t take to fences last month having won her four previous starts over hurdles and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back while Shirocco's Dream made a winning reappearance at Exeter and is weighted to reverse Huntingdon running in March with Mrs Barnes. Volkovka wins her fair share but has gone up 9lb for her Carlisle success.
Whitehotchillifili (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, outpaced after 7th, jumped left and behind 3 out, last of 10, 34 1/4l behind Black Tears (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Fable (FR) 4-5fav (11-6) Made all, came clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Haydock 3m (4) gs in Mar beating Mrs Barnes (11-6) by 8 1/2l, 5 ran.
Volkovka (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up, made headway before 3 out, joined leaders at 2 out, ridden to lead before the last, won going away, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Marta Des Mottes (11-6) by 7l, 10 ran.
Kissesforkatie (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, awkward 3rd, some headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Seddon (11-10) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Could Be Trouble (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Raced wide close up, lost place 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up next, at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f lst fll (1) gs in Nov.
Emmpressive Lady (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Raced wide in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 2nd, ridden and no impression when hung left from 2 out, 7th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Sexy Lot (11-10) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Bourbon Beauty 8-1 (11-5) Led, headed 6th, ridden home turn, weakened tamely before 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Haafapiece (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Mrs Barnes (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along after 4 out, went 2nd soon after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 8 1/2l behind Fable (11-6) at Haydock 3m (4) gs in Mar.
Barely Famous (IRE) 10-11jfav (11-5) Chased sole rival and not as fluent, pushed along and edged left after 3 out, driven and well beaten next, last of 2, dist behind Merry Berry (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun.
Ruby Yeats 14-1 (11-5) Not always fluent in last, went 4th before 7th, no impression, well beaten 2 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Alrightjack (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Shirocco's Dream (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Led, headed after 2 out, led again last, stayed on well, holding 2nd close home, won at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov beating Mind Sunday (10-12) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Shantung (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Prominent, pushed along 3 out, weakened before last, last of 7, dist behind King's Proctor (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
