Verdict

Taraval came here last month for a bumper and started favourite but she lost her position when running green and only stayed on when the race was over. That should have done her good and she should get involved as should Gerdalia, a winner between the flags and producing a fair bumper debut at Thurles a couple of weeks ago. Metro Star didn't enjoy the testing ground at Punchestown after three promising runs and Shadow Eile is untested in the conditions so this may go to WHATWILLWECALLHER. Robert Tyner's mare, a winner between the flags at Lemonfield last March, made a very promising debut under Rules behind Ceol Rua at Punchestown on New Year's Eve and can improve enough to take this though everything Willie Mullins saddles in these races must be respected and Black Empress, who is related to several winners, is no exception.

Formwatch

Andunowhat (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) 14th of 16, well behind Priests Road (11-11) at Fairyhouse 2m NH flat hvy in Apr.

Artic Palm (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Always prominent, led under 6f out, headed over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Banjo Davis (11-2) at Wexford 2m mrs NH flt 4-5yo sft in Oct '09.

Gerdalia (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway into 8th 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 1 1/2f out, 5th of 18, 7l behind Dazzling Susie (11-0) at Thurles 2m mrs nh flat.

Johnsons Coat (IRE) Bach mare out of Lady Sipash.

Killtilane Rose (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, 10th 3 out, kept on one paced, 7th of 18, 22l behind Lonesome Dove (11-7) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hdl in Dec.

Lady Valerina (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, 4th 6f out, ridden in 7th entering straight, no extra from 2f out, 9th of 16, 34l behind Catcherinscratcher (11-2) at Navan 2m mrs N H flat lst (1) sft in Nov.

Metro Star (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, in touch until no extra from 3f out, 10th of 14, 37l behind Ceol Rua (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) hvy in Dec.

Shadow Eile (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Settled behind leaders, 7th halfway, headway in 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 21l behind Grace N' Favour (11-2) at Sligo 2m mrs N H flat gd in May.

Simon Says (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 6th 4f out, close up entering straight, soon ridden, disputed lead briefly 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Dazzling Susie (11-0) at Thurles 2m mrs nh flat.

Sunnydale High (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Towards rear, progress from over 6f out, chased leaders before straight, no impression and kept on same pace from 2f out, 5th of 15, 11l behind What An Flyer (11-4) at Cork 2m mrs N H flat sft in Dec.

Whatwillwecallher (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inner, 8th halfway, still in touch entering straight, 7th when switched left 1 1/2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong without reaching winner, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Ceol Rua (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) hvy in Dec.

Benny's Fagartha (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders on inner, 3rd halfway, driven along in 5th approaching straight, no extra under pressure from over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Ceol Rua (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) hvy in Dec.

Black Empress (IRE) Septieme Ciel mare out of Flaiha.

Ciara's Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Rear of mid-division, progress into 9th 4f out, soon no impression, 9th of 18, 15l behind Dazzling Susie (11-0) at Thurles 2m mrs nh flat.

Kates Benefit (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, moderate 9th approaching straight, kept on well from over 1f out without reaching leaders, 5th of 14, 7l behind Ceol Rua (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) hvy in Dec.

Lady Sunshine (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always behind, ridden and weakened 4f out, tailed off straight, last of 10, well behind Darwins Fox (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Nov.

Taraval (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Prominent, 3rd 5f out, soon ridden and lost place, moderate 7th approaching straight, kept on well without threatening from 2f out, 4th of 8, 11l behind Midnight Socialite (11-4) at Limerick 2m mrs N H flat sft in Dec.

Millenarys Lady (IRE) Millenary filly out of Poachers Run.

Starling Lady 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 3rd 2 out, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra approaching last, 6th of 13, 18l behind Luddsdenene (11-5) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy.

Benalicious (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Mid div until prog in 3rd at 9th, cl 2nd aftr 5out until 4th & btn aftr 2out, wknd, 6th of 14, 28l behind Witness Express (12-0) at Cloyne 3m ire ptp gd in Mar.

Girlie'sdream (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Prominent on outer early, towards rear from halfway and soon trailing, completely tailed off, last of 14, well behind Ceol Rua (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f Mares Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) hvy in Dec.