made all, clear run-in, very easily
in rear, headway 10th, weakened before 2 out
with winner, quickly pulled up before 10th
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 10th, kept on and no chance with winner
in touch, headway 5 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
Willie Mullins has a rare runner at the track in the shape of BENIE DES DIEUX. Formerly trained in France, she makes her reappearance having won her chasing debut at Limerick last year with an eye-catching display of jumping and will likely start a short-price for this Listed contest on that form. But Lastbutnotleast is no slouch having won all three starts over hurdles and she should go well chasing for the first time today while Tacenda made a winning start over fences when successful at Fontwell last month. Both Caraline and Verona Opera face stiff tasks in this company.
Benie Des Dieux (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Disputed lead early, soon led and went on, jumped well, stayed on well straight, easily, won at Limerick 2m 4f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Leaders Questions (11-7) by 30l, 11 ran.
Caraline (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, niggled along but every chance when fell 4 out, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Lastbutnotleast (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden before 3 out, pressed from next, stayed on gamely, in command final 150 yards, won at Doncaster 3m lst (1) sft in Mar beating Happy Diva (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 5 ran.
Tacenda (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Made all, driven when challenged 3 out, hard ridden after last, ran on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Nov beating Two Swallows (11-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Verona Opera (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along before 2 out and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 5 3/4l behind Top Othe Ra (10-6) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
