tracked leader until ridden before last, one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to chase leader before last, led run-in, just held on, all out
tracked leaders, outpaced and pushed along before 3 out, held in 4th and staying on one pace when blundered last
in rear and in touch, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed run-in, kept on gamely, just held close home
VROUM VROUM MAG is impossible to oppose in this. She’s won 13 of her 18 career starts, including three Grade 1 races, and arrives off the back of a victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Her stablemate Annie Power won this in 2014 and Willie Mullins’ mare will also be off to The Festival in a few weeks’ time if she does her job today. Coillte Lass handled the step up to Listed company last month at Taunton but this is an even stiffer assignment. Intense Tango won this in 2015 but only beat one home last year. Midnight Jazz may find this too short and Late Night Lily’s wins have come against lesser opposition.
Coillte Lass (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked clear leader, closed 3 out, led soon after 3 out, clear before next, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m lst (1) gd in Dec beating Dusky Legend (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Vroum Vroum Mag (FR) 8-15fav (11-3) Soon tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd after 7th, improved to challenge travelling well entering straight, narrow lead last and left 2-lengths clear, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec beating Clondaw Warrior (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Intense Tango 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leader until ridden 4f out, soon lost place, 6th of 7, 20 1/4l behind Antiquarium (9-3) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Late Night Lily 5-4fav (11-10) Held up in close 4th and always travelling well, 3rd 5th, 2nd 2 out, quickened to lead between last 2, soon clear, shaken up run-in, eased final 50 yards, won at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating May Hay (11-12) by 10l, 4 ran.
Midnight Jazz 5-1 (11-0) Tracked clear leader, closer 3 out, led before the last, joined last, headed and no extra run-in, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Lifeboat Mona (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan.
