chased leader until before 9th, last 12th, weakened 4 out
niggled along at times on the 1st circuit, chased leaders, went 2nd before 9th, led 3 out, clear last, won easily in the end
held up in last, went 3rd 12th, challenged 3 out, ridden and no impression before last
raced freely, led, clear 8th until 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
Atlanta Ablaze won a similar race at Market Rasen last month, though was helped by the shocking performance of an odds-on favourite. She has won five of her last completed starts but may struggle to beat CASABLANCA MIX off level weights. Nicky Henderson’s mare won easily over track and trip in May and followed up in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen in July. Fitness won’t be an issue and she acts of good to soft but would not want any rain. Listen Dear won a Listed hurdle at Limerick in October but was beaten out of sight back over fences at Clonmel. Holly Flight faces a near-impossible task at the weights.
Atlanta Ablaze 3-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, slow 4th, pushed along before 3 out, closed and went 2nd 2 out, challenged flat, led towards finish, won at Market Rasen 3m lst (1) hvy in Nov beating Annie Angel (11-0) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Casablanca Mix (FR) 5-1jfav (11-6) In touch, headway 8th, chased leaders 5 out, led 3 out, driven clear next, ran on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gs in Jul beating Royal Village (11-0) by 8l, 14 ran.
Holly Flight (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear for most, ridden and no impression after 4 out, weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Mr Smith (11-3) at Roscommon 3m hcp sft in Aug.
Listen Dear (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Led, headed after 2nd and chased leader, led again 6 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner before 2 out, soon no extra, 2nd of 4, 34l behind Shattered Love (10-11) at Clonmel 2m 4f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
