A few of these will be targeting the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March. WHITEOUT is one and a rare runner here for Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins. Ruby Walsh rides the six-year-old, who won a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival last April and finished ahead of French import Kotkikova at the highest level at Leopardstown over Christmas. The latter may have needed that run, however, and could close the gap today while Lifeboat Mona showed she was still on an upward curve when winning a Listed race at Sandown earlier this month. Rons Dream didn’t take to fences last time and is a tough stayer who would probably be the one to profit if the market leaders run out of stamina. This may come too soon in the career of improving handicapper Happy Diva.
Kotkikova (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Held up behind leaders, 6th halfway, improved into 3rd before 8th, ridden and no extra entering straight, 6th and kept on one pace before last, left 5th, 5th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Lifeboat Mona 11-4jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 4th behind clear leader, smooth headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before the last, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan beating Midnight Jazz (11-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Whiteout (GER) 66-1 (11-3) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, dropped to 4th before 8th, ridden entering straight, no impression in 5th before last, left 4th, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-3) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.
Rons Dream 6-1 (11-0) Not fluent, chased front pair until 8th, weakened before 11th, pulled up after, at Warwick 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Dec.
Happy Diva (IRE) 9-4jfav (12-4) Prominent, led before 3 out, always going well, shaken up a little after last, very easily, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Two Swallows (11-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Lady Of Longstone (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Led to before 2nd, tracked leader, lost place approaching 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 15, 34l behind Tobefair (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
