waited with, in touch in rear, progress before 4th, 3rd after 2 out, kept on without matching front pair from last
prominent, not fluent 3rd, not much room on inner approaching straight, dropped to last and pushed along approaching 2 out, kept on without threatening after into 4th near finish
soon raced in 5th, last before 5th, progress to challenge 2 out, soon no impression, bad mistake last, one pace and dropped to 5th near finish
tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, led and went on from between last 2 until pressed last, kept on well run-in, headed near line
soon led, joined approaching straight, soon headed, no extra from between last 2
tracked leaders, on terms approaching straight, not go with leader from between last 2 until challenged again last, stayed on well run-in to lead near line
Rain In Spain has been thriving on quick ground and has already completed a double on this track this month. However, both victories were over much further and she may get outpaced by SASSY DIVA. Shane Crawley's mare returned from a long break to win easily at Ayr where she had little to beat but she would have a fair chance on last season's form and gets the vote. Gordon Elliott's dual bumper winner Tintangle was still there with a chance when falling two out at Galway last month and her allowance will be an advantage. Like An Open Book goes well on the ground and over the trip and has been running well in handicaps so has to be respected.
Like An Open Book (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Waited with and in rear early, headway to chase leaders straight, kept on same pace without threatening from before last, 3rd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Hearts Are Trumps (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp gd in Nov.
Nellie Pledge (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, progress 6 out, 9th before 4 out, no impression before 3 out, kept on one pace, 8th of 18, 27 1/4l behind Allardyce (11-12) at Cork 2m 5f Yielding in Nov.
Rain In Spain (IRE) 9-4fav (12-2) Mid-division early, 8th after 3rd, closed to track leaders approaching 3 out, challenged next on inner, soon on terms, gained narrow lead run-in and stayed on well, won at Thurles 2m 7f hcp gd in Nov beating Toosey (11-4) by nk, 16 ran.
Sassy Diva (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Led briefly 1st, held up, closed on outside 5th, led 3 out, clear flat, very easily, won at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov beating Peters Cousin (10-12) by 7l, 7 ran.
Caoimhe Diva (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Mid-division early, improved to dispute 3rd, led 5th, slight mistake 5 out, headed before 3 out, ridden in 4th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Bellgrove (11-7) at Tramore 2m hcp gd in Aug.
Tintangle (IRE) 11-4 (11-7) Close up in 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, every chance in 3rd when mistake and fell 2 out, at Galway 2m mdn Yielding in Oct.
