led and set decent pace, jumped slowly and narrowly headed 5th, in front again next, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
tracked leader, led narrowly 5th, stumbled and headed next, chased leader, chased winner from 2 out, ridden and well held when hung right between last two
waited with in rear, good headway chasing leaders before 2 out, no extra in 3rd soon after 2 out
held up in 4th, closer on inside into 4th place 5th, going well after next, weakened rapidly before 2 out, soon eased, went right last, tailed off
tracked leading pair until jumped slowly 5th, pushed along turning in, good headway between horses to lead approaching 2 out, went clear between last two, stayed on strongly
Whitehotchillifili is out to repeat last year’s victory in this having had a pipe-opener at the track last month. Skyace beat GAULOISE (NAP) in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last April but her form since has left much to be desired and Willie Mullins’ mare, successful later at Punchestown, can turn the tables as her yard sent out the winner of this in 2019. Anythingforlove and Martello Sky are both race-fit and the latter has taken a step forward this season having won in this grade at Cheltenham last spring.
Whitehotchillifili (IRE) 10-1 (12-2) Chased leaders, led 2nd, went clear 4th, reduced lead when hit 2 out, headed soon after, weakened between last two, 6th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Shirocco's Dream (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Anythingforlove 7-4 (12-5) Raced on inside, alternated 2nd and 3rd, outright 2nd before 7th, led on inside after 4 out, clear before next, ridden before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating So Socksy (10-0) by 7l, 4 ran.
Skyace (IRE) 125-1 (11-5) Rear, 8th before 7th, no impression before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, never a factor, 7th of 8, dist behind Honeysuckle (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) gd in Nov.
Gauloise (FR) 7-4fav (11-9) Soon raced in 3rd, travelling smoothly behind horses before straight, soon switched left and challenged, led approaching last where jumped right, quickly asserted and stayed on well, won at Punchestown 2m lst (1) Yielding in Apr beating Global Equity (11-6) by 10l, 7 ran.
Martello Sky 10-3 (11-7) Handy, led well before last, ridden before final flight, soon strongly pressed all the way to line, stayed on stoutly run-in, held on gamely (hand time), won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Indefatigable (11-12) by nk, 9 ran.
