in touch, lost place 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
in touch on inside, headway when hampered 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, stayed on under pressure flat, no impression
mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, soon lost place weakened next
towards rear, lost touch 4 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway on outside after 4 out, in touch when mistake next, left 2nd 2 out, led before last, ridden and hard pressed flat, kept on, headed and no extra towards finish
pressed leader, lost place 2 out, one pace before last, no impression flat
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair after next, every chance last, kept on under pressure flat, held towards finish
held up mid-division, headway 2 out, soon driven to chase leading pair, went 2nd and ridden before last, challenged flat, stayed on well to lead towards finish
led, hit 3rd, still going well enough and every chance when fell 2 out
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind, tailed off
held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon driven, ridden and stayed on into 4th flat, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, headway and effort when left in lead 2 out, headed and ridden before last, weakened flat
held up behind, driven after 2 out, stayed on under pressure on inside approaching last, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, driven 2 out, one pace approaching last, no impression flat
QUEVEGA, who has won four times at Grade 1 level, can make history by becoming the first horse to win the same race at The Festival on six successive occasions. William Mullins' wonder mare has won for the last four years without a prep run so her absence since winning at Punchestown last April isn't a problem and she has at least 22lb in hand over her rivals according to official ratings. Cockney Sparrow suffered a heavy fall behind Annie Power at Doncaster last time and may need a confidence-booster but the selection's stablemate Glens Melody arrives in terrific form having won back-to-back Listed races at Warwick, though she was well beaten in the Relkeel Hurdle at this track earlier. Cailin Annamh hasn't raced since giving weight and a beating to Little King Robin at Punchestown in October but beat Jennies Jewel at Gowran earlier and could have each-way claims. Highland Retreat is also much improved and her defeat of Carole's Spirit and Mickie at Ascot in January is a strong piece of form. Down Ace has yet to taste defeat under Rules but she may be biting off more than she can chew this time and French raider Sirene D'ainay's best efforts have come on heavy ground.
Cailin Annamh (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Raced in 4th, not fluent 3 out and pushed along approaching straight, good headway on rail to lead before last, soon asserted and kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 2f hdl G3 (1) gd in Oct beating Little King Robin (10-9) by 5l, 6 ran.
Cockney Sparrow 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, a close 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Annie Power (11-5) at Doncaster 2m hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan, 5 ran.
Down Ace (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 3rd approaching and hit 2 out, led before last, ridden and narrow advantage when edged left briefly 100 yards out, driven to hold on, won at Taunton 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec beating Blue Buttons (11-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Doyly Carte 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 14l behind Runswick Royal (11-3) at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Glens Melody (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Led, headed briefly before 3 out, blundered and headed 2 out, ridden before last, regained lead run-in, all out, won at Warwick 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) hvy in Feb beating Mischievous Milly (11-5) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Highland Retreat 5-1 (11-5) Jumped well, tracked leader, led 8th, came to near side before 2 out, ridden and pressed before last, joined last, hard ridden run in, stayed on gamely to assert final 120 yards, won at Ascot 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Carole's Spirit (11-5) by 2l, 6 ran.
Jennies Jewel (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Chased leader in 2nd, closer in 3rd halfway, ridden before 3 out and soon no impression on easy winner, moderate 4th when blundered last, last of 4, 32l behind Dunguib (11-3) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
L'unique (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Glens Melody (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) hvy in Feb.
Quevega (FR) 6-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, close 2nd travelling well on outer 2 out, led on bridle before last, stayed on strongly run-in, very easily, won at Punchestown 3m hdl G1 hvy in Apr beating Reve De Sivola (11-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Sirene D'ainay (FR) (10-3) won at Pau(FR) 2m 7f chs sft in Feb, 5 ran.
Uddy (FR) (10-3) 4th of 13, 23l behind Vik De Beauchene (10-5) at Angers(FR) 2m 3f gs in Feb.
Epee Celeste (FR) 11-2 (9-10) Pressed leader, led 3rd until after 4th, led 5th until next, jumped left 7th, outpaced before 4 out, weakened before last, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 24l behind Carli King (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Hidden Identity (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) In rear and in touch, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 4, well behind Glens Melody (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) hvy in Feb.
Little King Robin (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along and dropped to 5th before 2 out, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace under pressure run-in, 4th of 10, 11l behind Gambling Girl (10-7) at Down Royal 2m mrs nov hdl G3 (1) in Nov.
Pass The Time 6-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, mistake 3rd, headway after 4 out, challenged next, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and held on under pressure flat, won at Doncaster 2m mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb beating Koolala (11-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
Top Totti 9-1 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on until no extra final 110 yards, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Land Of Vic (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) hvy in Feb.
