raced in 2nd, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace run-in
raced in 3rd, closed straight, led before 2 out, stayed on well run-in
led, jumped slightly right at times, pushed along after 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, no extra in last run-in
held up in rear, closed on inner 3 out, pushed along approaching straight, kept on without troubling 1st 2 run-in
Almost all of theses arrive in top form though BARRA hasn't run since April. Runner-up in the Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, she was then placed at the highest level at Fairyhouse and should have too much class for these. Court Artist didn't have much to do at Ballinrobe but did it easily and has much more to offer. High Nellie won a maiden here last month but has a mountain to climb on official ratings and though The Kings Baby won very easily at Tramore she was a long way behind the selection at Fairyhouse in January. The four-year-old Alletrix looked a nice prospect when scoring comfortably at Gowran but has much more to do against these.
Barra (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, no extra from before 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Apple's Jade (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Court Artist (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Mid-division early, went 4th at 4th, headway into 2nd 3 out, ridden to lead on outer at last, went quickly clear after last, stayed on strongly, easily, won at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Sep beating The Rap Queen (10-13) by 10l, 10 ran.
High Nellie (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Led, joined 5 out, pushed along approaching straight, headed approaching 2 out, no extra from before last, 4th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Moyross (11-10) at Cork 3m Yielding - Soft in Oct.
Alletrix (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up, 7th after 6th, closed up quickly to be prominent after 3 out, led before 2 out, asserted from before last, stayed on well, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Sep beating Cluan Dara (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Kings Baby (IRE) 5-2 (10-11) Made all, still travelling smoothly and went on approaching 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, stayed on well run-in, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn Yielding in Oct beating Aherlow (11-4) by 10l, 7 ran.
