tracked leaders in chasing group, left 3rd 3 out, led after 2 out, soon clear, ridden out
always towards rear, struggling from 5th, soon tailed off
in rear, weakened from 4th, tailed off
tracked clear leader, left in lead 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened before 5th, tailed off, pulled up after 3 out
led, soon clear, hung badly right from 4th, ran out 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up
held up mid-division, blundered 4th, left 2nd 3 out, led 2 out and going well, soon headed, ridden before last, one pace
The run of Noble Scholar in the previous race will be a small pointer to the chances of Countess Comet, who beat him easily over C&D last month. She had a pipe-opener on the Polytrack and has to go on the short-list in this. Hidden Identity won a Limerick bumper for Terence O'Brien in December having finished third to the well-regarded Trifolium over hurdles at Cork earlier and also warrants a second look but we fancy MS CORDELIA to make a winning start to her hurdling career. A winner twice on the Flat in France last year, she changed hands for 20,000euros in December and has made the long trip up from Somerset for this.
Countess Comet (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, left 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead last 100 yards, kept on well towards finish, won at Catterick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan beating Magic Cat (11-0) by 2l, 16 ran.
Bach Peddling (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 15, 14l behind Bhakti (11-0) at Catterick 2m Conditional Nat Hunt Flat Race (4-6yo) (6) gd in Feb.
De Vine Memory 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Ifyousayso (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jan.
Hidden Identity (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Always prominent, 2nd travelling best straight, led 1f out, soon ridden clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m mrs nh flat hvy in Dec beating Mini Vic (11-2) by 10l, 18 ran.
Labretella (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, tailed off from 3 out, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Turf Trivia (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo hdl (5) gd in Aug '10, 9 ran.
Out Of Nothing 25-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 11l behind Daring Dream (9-2) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun (flat).
Kishanda 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, soon chased winner until no extra run-in, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Dubawi Dancer (10-12) at Doncaster 2m juv flls mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Ms Cordelia (USA) (8-10) won at Le Croise-Laroche(FR) 1m 2f fll clm sft in Nov, 13 ran (flat).
Midnight Return (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Held up, not fluent 3rd, behind when jumped slowly 5th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Definite Memories (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mares NH nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.