disputed lead, headed 3rd and chased leader in close 2nd, improved to lead after 3 out, ridden after next, strongly pressed approaching last, stayed on well run-in
disputed lead, led from 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, dropped to last 2 out, no impression
held up in last, slight mistake 7th, ridden in 4th 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd travelling well 2 out, strongly pressed winner approaching last and ridden, no impression after last, dropped to 3rd close home
held up in 4th, not fluent 6th, pushed along 3 out, ridden in 3rd 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home
Black Tears twice finished behind Stormy Ireland before landing a lucrative Grade B handicap at Leopardstown when Emily Moon was beaten 12 lengths and Surin was brought down 3 out while struggling. She was 11 lengths behind Elfile in the second of those earlier races over this trip at the same track and it's difficult to see a form reversal. However, Willie Mullins also runs LAURINA, unbeaten in her first six starts for the yard including the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. She's lost her way the last twice over fences after a winning start but is still only seven and can revert to hurdles with another victory.
Elfile (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Chased clear leader, 2nd and closer before 5th, pushed along entering straight and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Stormy Ireland (11-2) at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Surin (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, under pressure before 3 out, brought down 3 out, at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Emily Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inner, mistake at 1st, headway 3 out, 3rd 2 out, short of room and badly checked entering straight, soon ridden, 6th at last, no impression, 6th of 27, 11 3/4l behind Black Tears (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Laurina (FR) 5-4fav (10-11) Held up last, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 4 out, never a factor, pulled up before last, at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Feb.
Black Tears 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway into 6th 2 out, short of room and bumped entering straight, pushed along in 4th approaching last, ridden and good headway on inner to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Leopardstown 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Feb beating Our Roxane (9-10) by 2 1/2l, 27 ran.
