soon led, slight mistake 3rd, asserted straight, stayed on well run-in, comfortably
soon raced in 2nd, fell 7th
soon raced in 4th, mistake and badly hampered 7th, ridden to chase winner straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon raced in 3rd, weakened from 3 out, eased straight, tailed off
held up in 7th, headway to chase leaders approaching straight, soon no extra
soon raced in 6th, badly hampered 7th, ridden to chase leaders straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
held up in rear, some headway from before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace
soon raced in 5th, slight mistake 4th, impeded 7th, ridden to chase leaders straight, soon no impression, slight mistake last, kept on same pace
LET'S DANCE didn't have much to do to win this a year ago but had Barra 2l behind when landing the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in the spring. The runner-up has the advantage of a comeback run though she disappointed when odds-on at Wexford and Willie Mullins' mare, who is still only five, can take this for a second time. Mega Mindy won a little race in France in December and takes a leap in class as does The Kings Baby, who scrambled home in a Thurles handicap to complete her double. Hello Sweetie looks best of the remainder though her excellent second in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen came on good ground.
Forge Meadow (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, soon no extra, 5th of 6, 20 1/2l behind Melon (11-2) at Down Royal 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Let's Dance (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Disputed lead, ridden 2 out, headed entering straight, 3rd at last, no extra in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Bacardys (11-10) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Barra (FR) 4-9fav (11-3) Raced in 2nd, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Court Artist (11-3) at Wexford 2m 4f hvy in Oct.
Hello Sweetie 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 6th, 5th and no impression 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 30l behind La Bague Au Roi (11-0) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Mega Mindy (FR) (10-5) won at Cagnes-sur-Mer 2m sft in Dec beating Baronne D'anjou (10-5) by 3l, 13 ran.
Dawn Shadow (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Prominent in chasing group, soon 2nd, closed from 3 out, led into straight, asserted from before 2 out, stayed on well from before last, won at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn sft in Nov beating Osco Mosco (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 18 ran.
Nellie Pledge (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, went 4th 3 out, improved to lead after 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Sep beating Kilganer Queen (10-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
The Kings Baby (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-4) Chased leader, moderate 2nd from 3rd, closed on leader after 4 out, led before 3 out and soon clear, ridden before last, kept on, reduced advantage close home, won at Thurles 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Nov beating Lockeen Girl (10-1) by 1l, 12 ran.
Elusive Ivy (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, closer 3 out, ridden in 5th before 2 out, no impression in 4th before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Crazywork De Vassy (10-8) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
