tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3rd, led after 2 out, edged right and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards
tracked leaders going well, switched left to challenge before last, soon led, quickened away flat, easily
made most until after 3 out, weakened after next
with leader, led after 3 out, headed after next, weakened before last
prominent, not fluent 5th or 3 out, switched right and lost place just before 2 out, weakened
held up, ridden and well beaten after 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, unable to get on terms, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, 8th and outpaced before last, no impression, weakened
mid-division on inside, not fluent 1st, lost place 3 out, well beaten when not fluent 2 out
held up in touch in mid-division, headway after 3 out, led approaching last, soon headed, not pace of winner flat, stayed on
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, never in contention
in touch in mid-division, jumped slowly 4th, outpaced after next, rallied 2 out, every chance on home bend, unable to quicken in 4th when switched left just before last, no impression after, stayed on towards finish
held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, headway 2 out, 6th and one pace last
held up towards rear, on and off bridle from 4th, closed on outside 2 out, no impression, weakened before last
mid-division, closed on outside 3rd, lost place after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up approaching last
held up, ridden and no impression after 2 out, weakened
NonRunner
This is a new contest for The Festival but many of the leading stables are keen to explore its possibilities and have runners. Bloody Mary, Smart Talk and Tea In Transvaal have all been prolific winners this season but, like the unbeaten Limini, have to give 5lb to the other mares. The latter will likely be a short-price favourite given connections and has nothing to fear from the well-bred Whistle Dixie on Fairyhouse running, though a lot of these are still unknown quantities. Whistle Dixie's trainer Gordon Elliott also runs Water Sprite, who had the pace to win the Flat. Tara Flow would have a chance if forgiven a poor run in this grade over a longer trip at Sandown but we'll take a chance that CHOCCA WOCCA can find the necessary improvement to play a part. She had useful form in bumpers last year and, despite showing signs of inexperience, quickened nicely to beat Awesome Rosie on her hurdling debut at Market Rasen. She'll know more today and her family generally improves with age.
Bloody Mary (FR) 4-6fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, stayed on flat, driven out, won at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Banyu (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Limini (IRE) 4-5fav (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leader, slight mistakes 5th and 6th, on terms approaching 3 out where slight mistake and travelling smoothly, led after 2 out, clear from between last 2, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f (1) hvy in Jan beating Cashelard Lady (10-13) by 11l, 7 ran.
Smart Talk (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed briefly before and blundered 3 out, soon hard pressed, kept on gamely and held on well towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan beating Lily Waugh (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Tea In Transvaal (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Made all, ridden clear run-in, kept on strongly, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Colla Pier (11-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
Actinpieces 6-1 (11-2) In touch, pushed along 3 out, rallied to dispute second last, one paced run in, 3rd of 7, 8 3/4l behind Jessber's Dream (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
Awesome Rosie 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Chocca Wocca (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Bantam (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Led, headed before last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Winter Escape (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Chocca Wocca 8-15fav (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader 1st, challenging when not fluent last, led flat, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb beating Awesome Rosie (11-9) by nk, 9 ran.
Danielle's Journey 11-8fav (11-2) Tracked clear leader, headway after 4 out, led after next, drew clear between last 2, stayed on well, easily, won at Ayr 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb beating My Little Cracker (11-2) by 17l, 9 ran.
Dusky Legend 11-8fav (11-6) Held up in touch, closed after 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon edged right, not fluent 2 out, mistake last, stayed on same pace and no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Bella (10-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Girly Girl (IRE) 2-5fav (11-5) Led, pushed along before and jumped left 3 out, ridden and pressed when left clear from last, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb beating Pennywell (10-12) by dist, 6 ran.
Robins Reef (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Held up in touch on inside, went close 2nd 3 out, ridden and edged right flat, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Briery Queen (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Water Sprite (IRE) 15-8 (11-2) Held up in touch, every chance last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Road To Gold (11-9) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Whistle Dixie (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Chased leader, slight mistake 2nd, on terms approaching 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching straight, soon 3rd and no impression, not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Limini (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f (1) hvy in Jan.
Why Wait (FR) 7-4fav (10-10) 4th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Prettming (10-7) at Pau 2m hvy in Jan.
Jaune Et Bleue (FR) Evensfav (10-8) at Pau 2m 3f gd in Jan.
Tara Flow 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 7, 36l behind Jessber's Dream (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
