held up towards rear but in touch, headway to track leaders 5th, weakened before 3 out
mid-division but in touch, under pressure 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, driven to challenge after 3 out, every chance when blundered next, weakened
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 5th, led on bit approaching 2 out, shaken up, ran on strongly
prominent, under pressure 4 out, rallied next, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never nearer
took keen hold, soon led, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, lost place 5th, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner approaching last
chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon struggling, pulled up 5 out
DESERT QUEEN may be a bit of value to outstay the prolific Vroum Vroum Mag. The latter is unbeaten over fences and made a seamless switch back to hurdles at Clonmel but that was over 2m and she's entering unknown territory over this trip. Harry Fry's mare is a thorough stayer and the stable has won this in the last two years. Noel Fehily's mount was conceding 19lb to Cannon Fodder at Kempton last time so should easily overturn that form and is also preferred to Sandown second The Govaness, another who is stepping up in distance. Aurore D'estruval beat Dark Spirit over 2m4f last year so has each-way claims and Rons Dream is a tough sort who could sneak into a place on a rare venture outside of handicap company.
Aurore D'estruval (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, closed 6th, mistake next, ridden and no impression on leaders before last, one pace, 4th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Camping Ground (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Rons Dream 6-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, one pace before last, faded, 5th of 16, 12 1/4l behind Singlefarmpayment (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
The Govaness 7-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, headway after 3 out, challenged 2 out, 1 length down flat, edged towards finish, stayed on close home, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Polly Peachum (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) 1-16fav (11-2) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, improved to lead after 3 out, eased clear before last, not extended, won at Clonmel 2m hvy in Dec beating Mrs Mac Veale (11-7) by 3l, 5 ran.
Cannon Fodder 7-1 (10-7) Led until 1st, chased leader, not fluent 6th, mistake next, driven along 3 out, not much room when not fluent 2 out, soon switched right, led before last, 3 lengths clear flat, ridden out, won at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Desert Queen (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Dark Spirit (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Bitofapuzzle (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (3) hvy in Dec.
Desert Queen 2-1fav (11-12) Raced freely and not always fluent, led, jumped left 2 out, headed before last, 3 lengths down flat, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Cannon Fodder (10-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Fairytale Theatre (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led until after 1st, led again 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Polly Peachum (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Jennies Jewel (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, close 3rd on outer 3 out, ridden in 2nd next, 3rd before last, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd near line, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Diamond King (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Jan.
Molly's A Diva 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th and 6th, outpaced 12th, weakened 13th, pulled up before next, at Lingfield 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
