held up in last trio, dropped to rear and struggling after 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
raced in 3rd behind clear leader, closer 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, outpaced in 4th between last two, kept on run-in, almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner
raced freely, led and soon clear, hit 3rd and 6th, reduced lead 3 out, headed next, chased leader until before the last, weakened into 4th when hit last
held up in last pair, struggling after 3 out, never involved, tailed off
tracked leaders in 4th behind clear leader, smooth headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before the last, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, stayed on strongly
tracked clear leader, closer 3 out, led before the last, joined last, headed and no extra run-in, just held on for 2nd
took keen hold, held up in last pair, modest 5th after 3 out, soon pushed along and outpaced before next
Midnight Jazz, already a winner twice this season, does hold a verdict over BRIERY QUEEN from 2014 but that was over 2m and Noel Williams’ mare has since shown herself to be a smart performer over this sort of trip. She ended last season with victory in an ultra-competitive Listed handicap at Newbury and made a winning reappearance in another tough handicap at Cheltenham. She twice locked horns with Lifeboat Mona in bumpers and came off best on both occasions but Paul Nicholls’ charge has also taken well to hurdles and was impressive over a longer trip at Ascot in November – she is a danger getting 4lb. Desert Queen has been chasing so may not have the pace for this while Tara Flow and Hannah’s Princess have something to find at the weights. Morello Royale probably needs further nowadays and is conceding weight all round.
Morello Royale (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, chased winner after 9th, every chance 2 out, driven and one pace between last two, no impression, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Nordic Nymph (10-9) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Briery Queen 8-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, 2nd before last, led flat, went clear, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating On Demand (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Desert Queen 4-5fav (11-6) Led, fell 3rd, at Wincanton 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Hannah's Princess (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, jumped left 3rd, headway after 2 out, no impression, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Briery Queen (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Lifeboat Mona 3-1fav (11-9) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, headway into 2nd on bit 2 out, led between last 2, soon quickened clear, good jump last, very easily, won at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Midnight Sapphire (10-10) by 8l, 7 ran.
Midnight Jazz 9-4jfav (11-12) Made all, kept on gamely run-in, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Big Chief Benny (11-6) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Tara Flow 11-4 (11-0) Went left and jumped slowly at times, left disputing 3rd from 4 out, soon behind, 4th of 5, 21 1/2l behind Tagrita (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
