led, strongly pressed and joined over 1f out, soon headed and one pace
held up, soon raced in 7th, closed to track leaders approaching final hurdle, 2nd travelling smoothly approaching straight, on terms over 1f out, soon led and stayed on best to assert closing stages
soon raced in 3rd, under pressure approaching straight, soon no impression, one pace
towards rear early, closed to chase leaders approaching halfway, no impression approaching straight, weakened
soon raced in 5th, pushed along after 7th, weakened approaching final hurdle, eased straight, tailed off
raced in 6th early, soon raced in 4th, no impression and one pace straight
tracked leaders early, soon raced in 6th, pulled up quickly approaching 5th
soon raced in 2nd, dropped to 5th approaching straight, soon no impression
towards rear, no extra from final hurdle, eased straight, tailed off
LET'S DANCE won this a year ago before landing a Grade 2 here then the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. She was travelling nicely when falling at Punchestown on her reappearance and can make amends. Her stable companion Karalee receives 8lb so looks a threat despite a disappointing return to action at Thurles. A dual winner, she finished third behind Apple's Jade in a Punchestown Grade 1 in April. Philip Kirby sends Lady Buttons from the UK but she pulled up in that latter event and her recent Listed victory at Bangor came over fences. Forge Meadow, a Grade 2 winning novice, bounced back to form in a Listed contest at Punchestown where she won with plenty in hand but Polar Present ran poorly at Fairyhouse last time.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Soon led, slight mistake 3rd, asserted straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov beating Dawn Shadow (10-9) by 7 1/2l, 8 ran.
Let's Dance (FR) 4-9fav (11-9) Soon raced in 2nd, fell 7th, at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Dawn Shadow (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, 2nd at 4th, on terms 4 out, led before 3 out, under pressure and headed approaching straight, dropped to 3rd 2 out, no impression, kept on run-in to close on 2nd, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Killahara Castle (10-11) at Thurles 2m lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Gracemount (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Chased leaders and 4th halfway, closer in 3rd after 3 out and improved to lead before next, ridden and kept on well from before last, comfortably, won at Limerick 2m hcp hvy in Dec beating Pat's Oscar (10-6) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Karalee (FR) 4-7fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, pushed along approaching straight, 3rd from 2 out but no impression, one pace, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Dawn Shadow (10-12) at Thurles 2m sft in Nov.
Lady Buttons 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, smooth progress after 3 out, every chance last, led run in, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f lst (1) sft in Nov beating Dusky Legend (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Mary Frances (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led and disputed, ridden 2 out, headed before last, no extra in 3rd run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Aa Bee See (10-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.
Polar Present (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Led, slight mistake 6th, ridden and joined entering straight, headed before 2 out, no impression in 3rd before last, kept on one pace run-in, 3rd of 6, 29 1/4l behind Chateau Conti (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Mega Mindy (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Held up in 7th, headway to chase leaders approaching straight, soon no extra, 6th of 8, 25 3/4l behind Forge Meadow (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
