held up towards rear, last 3 out, headway and not much room final bend, no impression on leaders and disputing 4th last, one pace
held up in rear, closed going well after 3 out, switched right after 2 out, no impression on leaders and disputing 4th last, one pace
held up in mid-division, raced keenly, some headway after 3 out, not much room after 2 out, switched right off final bend, soon weakened
led until before 3rd, chased leader, challenged last, led flat, stayed on gamely
prominent, led after 3rd, ridden and pressed last, edged left and headed flat, no impression on winner towards finish
mid-division, raced keenly, closed after 4th, not fluent 3 out, outpaced from final bend, no impression in 6th last
chased leaders, lost a place 4th, well in touch on outside 3 out, ridden after 2 out, edged right before last, 3rd and held last, kept on
prominent until before 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden and beaten after 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, in touch before 2 out, driven and outpaced final bend, well held 7th last, kept on
NonRunner
This could be one of the races of the week. HONEYSUCKLE is far from a busted flush even though performances this season suggest she is not quite the same mare that beat Epatante by three-and-a-half lengths in last year’s Champion Hurdle. She did later beat Echoes In Rain in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle and the latter was only fifth in this last season when Marie's Rock swooped late to get the better of Queens Brook, who both re-oppose. The latter had Brandy Love in third when landing a slowly-run Grade 3 at Punchestown last month but was beaten by Shewearsitwell at Leopardstown in December and Paul Townend’s mount has been trained with this race in mind - she remains the only one to have ever lowered the colours of the prolific Love Envoi. Theatre Glory could figure granted luck in-running but Midnight Ginger looks to be out of her depth.
Brandy Love (IRE) 6-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd after 2 out, pushed along when jumped left and mistake last, no impression run-in and dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 4 3/4l behind Queens Brook (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Feb.
Echoes In Rain (FR) 5-6fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, progress at 2nd, took closer order at 3rd, closed in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, led and asserted before last, kept on well, easily, won at Naas 2m (1) sft in Jan beating Cash Back (11-3) by 10l, 6 ran.
Epatante (FR) 2-9fav (11-8) Held up in 4th, headway to chase leader going well approaching 2 out, led before last and went clear, kept on, not extended, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan beating Salsada (11-2) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Honeysuckle 11-8 (11-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, stumbled on landing 3 out, pushed along and pressed leader next, ridden in 2nd and no impression before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 4 3/4l behind State Man (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding in Feb.
Love Envoi (IRE) 3-10fav (11-7) Wore hood to post, raced keenly, held up in 4th, good headway tracking leader 4th, led and still keen after 3 out, four lengths ahead 2 out, went further clear between last two, impressive, won at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan beating Martello Sky (11-8) by 13l, 5 ran.
Marie's Rock (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, went 2nd after 2 out, led flat, ridden clear, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan beating Dashel Drasher (11-0) by 6l, 9 ran.
Queens Brook (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to lead 2 out, soon pushed along, asserted early run-in and kept on well, won at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Feb beating Anna Bunina (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shewearsitwell (IRE) 15-8 (10-11) Soon rear of mid-division, not fluent at 2nd, 4th after 4th, took closer order in 3rd 2 out, soon improved to 2nd, switched left to lead 1 1/2f out, soon asserted, kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating Queens Brook (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Theatre Glory (IRE) 4-7fav (11-4) Prominent, led after 1st, hit 6th, went clear with runner-up before 4 out, shaken up and quickened clear 2 out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Warwick 2m 5f lst (1) gd in Feb beating Molly Ollys Wishes (11-8) by 11l, 5 ran.
Midnight Ginger 11-2 (11-10) Raced on inside, chased leaders, chance when slightly impeded 3 out, ridden before next, soon outpaced, plugged on again run-in, 5th of 12, 9l behind Kings Keeper (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
