never travelled or fluent, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up in 5th place, closer in 3rd place 9th, ridden and one pace before 3 out, lost 3rd close home
held up in 6th place, went modest 4th at 12th, weakened into poor 6th and pulled up before 3 out
shaded keen, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd at 9th, pushed along and one pace before 3 out, eased when no chance with winner
chased leaders on outside, went 2nd at 3rd until 9th, chased leaders, weakened 12th
well in rear, pushed along and outpaced before 8th, kept on run-in, went never nearer 3rd close home
mostly jumped well, made all, hit 11th, pushed along and came clear 3 out, unchallenged
chased winner until 3rd, chased leaders, reminders after 5th, lost place and behind 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
Angels Antics landed a novices' hurdle at this time a year ago after which she raced in much stronger company. She was well beaten on her chasing bow at Ffos Las and will need to do much better. MIDNIGHT TARGET improved throughout last season culminating in a Listed victory at Cheltenham in April. He's up 5lb but further progress will see him in the firing-line here. Cotton Jenny has been placed seven times in eight starts over fences though her form figures flatter her as two of those were in two-horse races. Marienstar made all and had plenty in reserve at Worcester so a 6lb rise shouldn't pose too much of a problem.
Angels Antics 25-1 (10-10) Held up, steady progress 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 7th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Bags Groove (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 5f (3) gs in Oct.
Song Saa 8-1 (11-8) In rear, reminders from 6th, went modest 4th 3 out, no chance, 4th of 6, 34 1/4l behind Zamparelli (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Tara View 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent and slow at the fences early stages, last from 2nd, behind 5th, tried to close after 10th, lost touch from 11th, last of 5, dist behind Sister Sibyl (11-7) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Midnight Target 7-2 (10-13) Made all, jumped right throughout, hard driven when challenged from 2 out, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr beating The Bay Birch (11-4) by 1l, 7 ran.
Cotton Jenny (IRE) 10-3 (10-9) Chased sole rival (winner), struggling from 6th, no chance after, continued tailed off, last of 2, 24l behind Sternrubin (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) gf in Oct.
Miss Tongabezi 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, pecked 5th, not fluent 10th, lost place 12th, behind when bad mistake 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Marienstar (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Jumped right, made all, not fluent 3rd, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Hollow Park (10-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
Cloone Lady (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch, reminders and struggling after 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Fixed Rate (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
