mid-division, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, pushed along and no impression in 6th next, no extra, kept on one pace in straight
chased clear leader, 2nd and closer before 5th, pushed along entering straight and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace
towards rear, some headway 3 out and went 3rd next, pushed along and no impression entering straight, no extra and dropped to 4th run-in
made all and soon clear, reduced advantage before 5th and 5 lengths lead halfway, slight mistake 3 out, travelled well early straight and kept on well from before last, easily
chased clear leader, hampered 3rd, 3rd halfway, 4th and no impression 2 out, soon ridden and no extra early straight, weakened
rear of mid-division, 5th halfway, hampered 3 out, went 4th and ridden entering straight, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, never a factor, pecked slightly 1st, not fluent 4 out and no extra after next
chased clear leader in 2nd, jumped right 3rd and bumped rival, soon lost place and jumped right 5th, 6th halfway, dropped towards rear and not fluent 3 out, no extra, kept on one pace in straight
Willie Mullins has won this for the past three years and has four entries here. Paul Townend has chosen STORMY IRELAND and though it was only a Listed race she won at Punchestown from today's rival Black Tears her placed effort behind Roksana in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham would be good enough for this. Her stable companions Elfile and My Sister Sarah fought out a finish at Thurles and there's nothing between them though the former could only finish sixth behind another stablemate Eglantine Du Seuil in the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Western Victory has disappointed the last twice after completing a double by landing a Gowran Listed race.
Eglantine Du Seuil (FR) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, 2nd to clear leader at 2nd, took closer order at 5th, 3rd at 6th, improved to 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner before last, ridden and dropped to 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Stormy Ireland (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Elfile (FR) 2-5fav (11-7) Made all, asserted approaching last, pushed out and kept on run-in, reduced advantage close home, won at Thurles 2m sft in Nov beating My Sister Sarah (11-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
My Sister Sarah (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along 2 out, headway between horses to go 2nd before last, ridden and kept on well run-in, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Elfile (11-7) at Thurles 2m sft in Nov.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 1-3fav (11-3) Made all, jumped big at 1st, soon clear, reduced advantage at 5th, slow jump 3 out, travelled well and asserted before last where jumped big, kept on well, comfortably, won at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) sft in Nov beating Black Tears (10-9) by 4l, 5 ran.
Barra (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, not fluent at 1st, 3rd to clear leader at 2nd, took closer order at 5th, progress to 2nd at 6th, not fluent 4 out, 3rd 3 out, dropped to 4th before 2 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 5, 29 3/4l behind Stormy Ireland (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Black Tears 7-1 (10-9) Towards rear, 4th at 5th, 5th at 6th, soon niggled along, headway to 3rd before 2 out, no impression on winner before last, ridden and kept on to 2nd closing stages, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Stormy Ireland (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Grey Waters (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in 4th, pecked slightly 4th and soon rear, ridden and no impression 4 out, no extra 3 out, weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Elimay (10-11) at Cork 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Mary Frances (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Prominent and led before 1st, 5 lengths clear 3rd and extended advantage 5 out, pushed along entering straight and 4 lengths lead before last, ridden run-in and headed closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind The Storyteller (11-0) at Clonmel 3m sft in Dec.
Western Victory (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leader in 2nd early, led from 3rd, joined 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, soon dropped to 4th, moderate 4th 2 out, no impression, 4th of 5, 26 1/2l behind Coeur Sublime (10-13) at Down Royal 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Nov.
