chased leader, closer in 2nd before 5th, pushed along 2 out and dropped to 5th entering straight, no impression approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, closer halfway, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, no extra early straight, weakened
mid-division, 4th halfway, went 3rd and pushed along entering straight, soon ridden and no impression approaching last, kept on run-in
chased leader, slight mistake 4th, closer in 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression early straight, kept on well run-in to lead closing stages
mid-division, 6th halfway, pushed along after 3 out and no impression entering straight, no extra approaching last, kept on one pace run-in
always towards rear, closer halfway, not fluent 7th, pushed along and no impression after 3 out, 7th and kept on one pace when slow last, no extra
held up in rear of mid-division, 7th halfway, some headway after 4 out, went 4th entering straight, pushed along and no impression approaching last, no extra
led and soon clear, reduced advantage 5th and 1 length lead halfway, slight mistake 7th, pushed along and went 3 lengths clear early straight, ridden run-in and headed closing stages
mid-division, closer halfway, 5th when fell 4 out
The former champion hurdler EPATANTE ran a superb race when chasing home Honeysuckle in this year's hurdling classic then stepped up to 2m4f to land the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle in style. She'll take the world of beating in that form though stable companion Marie's Rock won the Dawn Run at the Festival and would be a worthy deputy if the selection fails to reproduce her form after two hard races. Telmesomethinggirl was well supported for the latter event and was close up and going well when brought down two out with Mrs Milner, who was impeded by the faller before staying on strongly, close up in third and Stormy Ireland just behind in fourth. Willie Mullins trains the latter and has four entries and Burning Victory was another who ran in the Dawn Run but failed to show her running.
Burning Victory (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, outpaced when hampered 2 out, well beaten after, 9th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Marie's Rock (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Dysart Diamond (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Always in rear, mistake 3 out, 21st of 26, 23l behind State Man (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Epatante (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Held up behind leaders, travelled strongly, closed going well when switched right before 2 out, disputing lead going best when left in clear lead last, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr beating Monmiral (11-7) by 14l, 7 ran.
Marie's Rock (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, switched right before last, soon went 2nd, carried right and led flat, stayed on well, well in command towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar beating Queens Brook (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Mrs Milner (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway when badly hampered and lost momentum 2 out, soon edged left and bumped rival, rallied approaching last, switched left flat, ran on well, went 3rd inside final 75 yards, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Marie's Rock (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Politesse (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Led, restrained behind leaders 2nd, dropped to midfield 3rd, towards rear when awkward 4th, ridden before 3 out, no impression, 13th of 21, dist behind Langer Dan (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Shewearsitwell (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Waited with, bad mistake 3rd and dropped to rear, fell next, at Leopardstown 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Stormy Ireland (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) Led, headed after 3rd, stayed handy, chasing leaders 2 out, still pressing leaders flat, no impression and lost 3rd inside final 75 yards, 4th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Marie's Rock (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
Telmesomethinggirl (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3 out, tracking leaders going ok when brought down 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Mar.
