led, hanging right from 6th, driven and headed 2 out, stayed on with every chance until no extra towards finish
held up on touch, not fluent 3rd, fell 8th
not always fluent in last, hampered 8th, outpaced 10th, well beaten from 12th, left 4th 4 out
chased leader, jumped right 3rd, outpaced and disputing just over 3 lengths 3rd when fell 4 out
chased leader, not fluent 10th, challenged 4 out, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on, in command towards finish
held up in touch, hampered 8th, closed 4 out, stayed on, mistake last, unable to get on terms with front pair
Emily Gray won in this grade at Carlisle last month and finished ahead of Pepite Rose over course and distance a little over a year ago. But the latter, back at the right level today, is now 10lb better off and should turn the tables. Kalane was very impressive in a novice event at Huntingdon earlier this month and looks to have a bright future over fences, though could find this much stiffer test coming a little too soon. MA FILLEULE's last victory came in a Grade 3 but that was in April of last year so she escapes a penalty in this. Nicky Henderson's mare was second in the Ryanair at Cheltenham in March and is impossible to oppose on that form in a race like this. Run Ructions Run is a stayer and could find things happening too quickly over this trip.
Emily Gray (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Pressed and clear with leader 3rd, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out, gamely, won at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Nov beating Gitane Du Berlais (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Pepite Rose (FR) 8-1 (10-11) In rear, not fluent 6th, outpaced 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, left 2nd last, 2nd of 5, dist behind Al Ferof (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Bobble Boru (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Chased front pair, struggling 5 out, lost modest 3rd next, no danger after, well beaten in 4th when fell last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Kalane (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Jumped well, made all, clear last, impressive, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec beating Bon Chic (11-0) by 31l, 4 ran.
Ma Filleule (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Held up, steady headway on inside approaching 9th, chased leaders 13th, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened soon after, 10th of 13, 31 1/2l behind Wakanda (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Run Ructions Run (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led after last and soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m (4) hvy in Nov beating Kaki De La Pree (11-2) by 1l, 4 ran.
