tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 2nd 3 out, pushed along and no impression on winner before next, kept on one pace
disputed lead, headed 6th, 2nd halfway, led after 5 out, asserted and 3 lengths clear 2 out, kept on well run-in
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and no impression before 2 out, soon no extra, weakened
towards rear, never a factor, 5th halfway, pushed along and no impression in rear approaching straight, no extra and pulled up before 2 out
in rear, detached 5 out, closer in 5th approaching straight, pushed along and no impression before 2 out, kept on one pace
disputed lead, slight mistake 4th, led from 6th, slight mistakes 8th and 5 out, soon headed, 3rd 3 out, pushed along approaching straight and soon no impression, no extra from 2 out
Winning bumper and hurdler Scarlet And Dove was in excellent form over fences last season winning three times including at Grade 2 and 3 level and just failing to land a Grade B handicap at Punchestown. She has a penalty to carry and was beaten over fourth lengths by MOUNT IDA off levels at Cork in December when Sapphire Lady finished last. Gordon Elliott's charge also won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and looks the one to beat. Fairyhill Run completed a hat-trick in mid-summer and her last two runs have been in very tough handicap company so she can go well with her allowance without troubling the principals. The remaining pair have a lot to find.
Scarlet And Dove (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders on outer, improved to lead 3 out, bad mistake 2 out and soon ridden, strongly pressed and narrow lead at last, kept on well run-in, headed last stride, 2nd of 13, nk behind Rapid Response (10-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Mount Ida (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, 3rd entering straight and mistake 3 out, 4th and ridden next, no impression between final 2, kept on well run-in and closing in 3rd at line, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Elimay (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 5f lst (1) Yielding in Apr.
Sapphire Lady (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Raced in 2nd, took closer order when not fluent 8th, pushed along and briefly pressed winner entering straight, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace, no extra, 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Kitty Galore (11-5) at Clonmel 2m 2f hvy in Oct.
Cushinstown Finest (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) In rear, 8th halfway, mistake 7th, moderate 7th and plenty to do after 3 out, 5th 2 out, ridden in 4th when mistake last, stayed on well under pressure, led close home, won at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Oct beating Bolbec (9-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Danse Idol (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, slight mistake 5 out, pushed along and no impression when slightly hampered 3 out, no extra, never a factor, 4th of 6, dist behind Gin On Lime (11-3) at Tipperary 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Oct.
Fairyhill Run (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent early, jumped left at 1st and not fluent at times, soon settled in 3rd, dropped to 5th after 3 out, kept on again into moderate 3rd from next, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Envoi Allen (12-0) at Down Royal 2m 4f (1) sft in Oct.
