led, strongly challenged 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led after 2 out, stayed on well
in touch, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on into 3rd, never able to challenge
held up, mistake 3rd, soon beaten, completely tailed off
in touch, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened, remote 4th, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened after 3 out, completely tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 1st, weakened 4 out, tailed off
always in rear, beaten 4 out, remote 5th, tailed off
held up, headway 4th, chased leaders next, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
Current Champion Hurdle favourite Epatante won this under a penalty last year and the two previous winners are expected to dominate this renewal. Martha Brae was just denied over a longer trip at Newbury after opening her account at Fontwell but could be vulnerable against WHITEHOTCHILLIFILI over this distance, despite being rated 2lb higher that the Fry mare. The latter appeared to find an extended 2m5f at Wincanton too far last time when failing to land the odds. A Perfect Gift was still in contention when brought down at Lingfield and might be improving while a switch to hurdling should suit former pointer Uptown Lady.
Martha Brae 16-1 (11-6) Raced on inside, led until after 2nd, pressed leader, in front again 6th, ridden and kept on well from last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Bond's Lover (11-0) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) hvy in Jan.
Whitehotchillifili (IRE) 8-11fav (11-6) Prominent, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 12 1/2l behind Cill Anna (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
A Perfect Gift (IRE) 11-4 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside 4th, in touch when brought down 7th, at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Fillybusta (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In touch in mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 15, dist behind Mont Segur (11-0) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Katies Escape (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Cill Anna (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Kayf Sera Sera 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 4th of 12, 29l behind Pure Bliss (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Memphis Bell (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, not fluent 4th, lost touch after 8th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Blackjack Kentucky (10-12) at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Jan.
Uptown Lady (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Raced wide towards rear, pushed along and headway chasing leaders over 3f out, plugged on final 2f, 7th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Bellevarde Express (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (5) gs in Jan.
Ideal Grace 150-1 (10-5) Well in rear, lost touch 4th, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
