tracked leader, came wide in home straight, lost 2nd over 3f out, 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, pushed along and headed 3f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened final 2f
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, 3rd and one pace over 1f out, weakened into 4th inside final furlong
held up in mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders and switched right over 3f out, went 2nd inside final 3f, stayed on same pace, never any chance with very easy winner
towards rear of mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
held up off the pace in last trio, never on terms
held up off the pace in 5th, weakened final 3f
behind pushed along and struggling 6f out, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up in home straight
off the pace and always towards rear
chased leaders, weakened inside final 3
always behind, never a factor, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, led going well 3f out, came clear over 1f out, very easily
MULLENBEG (NAP) won easily in this grade at Cheltenham, beating Fairy Gem more than five lengths with another seven lengths back to fourth Flirtatious Girl who was having a first run since landing this 12 months ago. Hidden Beauty was pulled up at Cheltenham but that clearly wasn’t her running as she’d won in a canter earlier at Ffos Las. The third was beaten by Nifty Getaway at Ayr last month but the O’Brien mare should take care of that one. Eabha Grace was well beaten in a Grade 2 after winning at Thurles but it’s too soon to write off Willie Mullins’ mare. Malina Jamila pulled off a shock victory at Huntingdon in December but this is an even tougher assignment. Luccia should improve on her Warwick victory and looks the pick of the remainder.
Flirtatious Girl (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Raced keenly, soon led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, ridden and weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Mullenbeg (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Malina Jamila 40-1 (11-0) Made all, ridden under 3f out, faced challenge over 1f out, found plenty when pressed inside final furlong and pulled away close home, won at Huntingdon 2m lst (1) gd in Dec beating Lady Jane P (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Mullenbeg (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up off the pace in last pair, smooth headway tracking leaders out wide tracking leaders home turn, led over 2f out, quickened clear final furlong, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Jan beating Fairy Gem (11-2) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
Eabha Grace (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Towards rear, 11th halfway, progress over 4f out, 3rd over 3f out, under pressure and lost place 2 1/2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 16, dist behind Lily Du Berlais (11-8) at Leopardstown 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Fairy Gem (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division 12f out, headway chasing leaders turning in, not much room 2f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5 1/2l behind Mullenbeg (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Hidden Beauty 7-2 (11-2) Raced keenly towards rear, tailed off and pulled up end of back straight, at Cheltenham 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Maridadi 5-2jfav (10-10) Held up, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at Wetherby 1m 4f fll (5) sft in Jan beating She'soneofourown (10-10) by 5l, 10 ran.
Meetuatnine (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Chsd ldrs, 3rd from 6th, jnd ldr 6out & mstk, cl 2nd 2out & wo at last, hdd early flat, ld agn over 50 yards out, won at Aghabullogue 3m mdn sft in Jan beating Shamror Lass (11-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
Mistral Nell 3-1 (11-7) Front mid-division, ridden over 3f out, gradually faded, 8th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Kateira (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Nifty Getaway (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, led 3f out, soon pushed along and drew clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Ayr 2m (3) hvy in Feb beating Time For Hollie (11-4) by 2l, 12 ran.
Eel Pie Island 5-2fav (10-5) Chasing leaders when in view early, going 2nd final bend, in lead over 1f out, stayed on well (time is approximate due to poor visibility), won at Exeter 1m 5f (5) gd in Oct beating Bonnet (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Luccia 7-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Jan beating Blow Your Wad (10-7) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
