jumped well, raced wide, tracked leading pair, tracked clear leader 2nd, closed 6th led before 4 out, clear next, stayed on strongly, very easily
held up in 4th place, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along and no chance with easy winner when lost 2nd before 3 out, plugged on
chased clear leader until 2nd, chased leading pair until before 4 out, lost touch and pulled up soon after
led and soon clear, reduced lead 6th, headed before 4 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
held up in touch in rear, mistakes 4th and 6th, headway into 3rd 4 out, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out, never any chance with easy winner
NonRunner
La Bague Au Roi has won her last three and has the highest rating. She beat Dusky Legend in a Listed race at Newbury last season, though was receiving weight and the boot is on the other foot here. Graceful Legend holds Hitherjacques Lady on identical terms in a handicap here in November and should confirm the form. Sainte Ladylime reverted to hurdles at Ludlow and was only beaten a neck but this is much tougher. MIDNIGHT TUNE has a bit to find at the weights with a few of these but she’s a mare going places judged on recent victories at Wincanton and Kempton. The step up to 3m last time didn’t prove a problem and she could spring a surprise.
La Bague Au Roi (FR) 11-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, led approaching 6th, not fluent last, headed soon after, rallied and ran on to lead again towards finish, won at Kempton 3m lst (1) gs in Nov beating Jer's Girl (10-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Graceful Legend 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, outpaced 2 out, rallied last, went 3rd flat, stayed on, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 13, 5 1/2l behind Momella (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Hitherjacques Lady (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mostly jumped well, led, flattened 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching next, dropped to 3rd and one pace from 2 out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Poppy Kay (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Midnight Tune 2-1fav (10-4) Made all, clear after 2nd until before 4 out, clear again when hit 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Rons Dream (11-2) by 4l, 6 ran.
Sainte Ladylime (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd going well after omitted 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon edged right, switched right before last, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Ellens Way (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Dusky Legend 4-1 (11-6) Held up in touch in rear, left in 4th place at 4th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down and travelling well enough when fell next, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
