soon led, pushed along over 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, one pace
soon raced in 4th, pushed along 3f out, soon challenged, no impression 1f out in 3rd, one pace and dropped to 4th again inside final furlong
held up in 5th on inner, switched left over 2f out, no impression 1f out in 4th, kept on same pace without threatening into 3rd inside final furlong
soon in rear, pushed along under 3f out, no impression from 2f out
led early, soon raced in 2nd, pushed along and not much room briefly over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong and stayed on well
took keen hold, prominent, soon raced in 3rd, pushed along and squeezed for room over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, soon no extra
Goldrush followed her opening victory at Navan in September with two at Listed level on the Polytrack at Dundalk. She wouldn't be returning in a Group 2 unless thought capable of a big run though it will be a shock if she's good enough to cope with HYDRANGEA at this stage. The Ballydoyle filly began the last campaign by beating Winter at Leopardstown but then finished behind her illustrious stable companion in four Group 1's before beating here again in the Matron Stakes back at Leopardstown. She ended the campaign winning the British Champion Fillies and Mares at Ascot and none of these rivals can match that sort of form. Opal Tiara, runner-up in this a year ago, earned some nice prize money at Meydan earlier this year without winning and like the remaining trio is up against it though any rain could help Making Light into the frame.
Hydrangea (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Raced wide in mid-division, pushed along chasing leaders over 3f out, led 2f out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on gamely to assert inside final furlong, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) sft in Oct beating Bateel (9-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Goldrush (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to lead under 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, all out close home, won at Dundalk 1m lst fll stks (1) pol in Oct beating Aneen (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Making Light (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Raced mainly in 4th, pushed along on outer from 2f out, ridden from 1f out, kept on without threatening to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Psychedelic Funk (9-10) at Naas 7f Grp 3 stks (1) Soft - Heavy in Apr.
Nivvo (IRE) 11-4 (8-7) Led early, soon raced in 3rd, effort straight, not match winner and one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Claregate Street (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp fll pol in May.
Opal Tiara (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Promising Run (9-3) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Xenobia (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Led, soon clear, 10-length advantage halfway, stayed centre entering straight, reduced advantage 2 1/2f out, pushed along and pressed 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed over 1f out, disputed 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd at line, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Lightening Quick (8-11) at Naas 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in May.
