With some doubts about last year's winner Limerick Lace, who's now going in cheekpieces after failing to reach her usual standard in two runs this term, the outcome can lie between DINOBLUE and Allegorie De Vassy. The latter didn't seem quite at her best when about 6l behind the selection in this race last year and she can be very dangerous on her best day. Dinoblue is arguably the more dependable of the pair and, having shown she can stay this far, she can gain compensation for last year's defeat. Brides Hill is the other to consider.[Emily Weber]
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Has run at the last three Festivals, in the ruck in the mares' novice hurdle then runner-up in the County Hurdle and this race (both on soft; the latter to Limerick Lace); seemed to see out this unfamiliar trip perfectly well last March but has been back at her regular trip of about 2m since and there was precious little between her and Allegorie De Vassy at Naas last month; similar terms today and it can be tight between them again.
Winner of all four starts (at 2m4f on good to soft or slower) between September 2023 and last May, including a Grade 2; has been turned over at short prices in two runs since back from a break, to an improver at Huntingdon last time, but she provides fresher blood against the established ones and might well have a say.
Had a high old time last season, including when runner-up in a good 3m handicap at Navan and then keeping Dinoblue at bay in this race (soft; equally effective on good to soft); arrives with more to prove than 12 months ago, however, as she's not reached nearly that standard on her last two runs, and a remote second to Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse in January was the best she could do; some queries for now with cheekpieces fitted.
Runner-up in the 2023 running to one who was never beaten over fences, but she wasn't quite on song when a one-paced fourth to Limerick Lace and Dinoblue 12 months ago; lost nothing in defeat after a tight tussle with Dinoblue at Naas (2m, soft) in February and would make them all go if on her game.
Just two runs on this track, latest when pulled up in the Kim Muir in 2023; never better than when a wide-margin winner at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in November but she can be a creature of extremes and has been pulled up twice since; up against it at the weights so there's some outperforming to be done; blinkers applied.
Has taken well to fences at a lower level but she fell in September when last seen; with her jumps wins coming at 2m/2m1f, and never having raced beyond 2m2f, it's likely that she will not be staying on best of all.
Capable mare who is effective over hurdles and fences but her sole chase win came in an Exeter mares' novice (2m1f, soft) in late 2023 and this is rather rarefied company for her.
Has shown up well over fences here away from the Festival; campaigned over hurdles since autumn, running near her best when winning a Listed mares' race at Warwick (2m5f, soft) in February, but she is far from the shore on these terms now back chasing.
Finished a close sixth in the mares' novice hurdle at this meeting in 2023; had a charmed spell in her early days over fences, winning all four starts (at up to 2m4f) between late September and November (on ground ranging from soft to good) and did well in the face of a stiff task on her most recent 2m4f run, in a Grade 1 at Fairyhouse; will be suited by the return to this trip but needs improvement and perhaps others will see it out better.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
