jumped right, held up, went 3rd 4th, struggling from 12th, poor 3rd when pulled up before 3 out
behind from 4th, lost touch 9th, jumped slowly 10th, soon pulled up
made all, clear 3 out, unchallenged
chased winner, hit 11th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
MIDNIGHT TUNE is clear of these at the weights. She was no match for the odds-on Sensulano at Fontwell on her reappearance but the rest where nowhere and she’ll likely start at prohibitive odds for this. There is little between chasing debutante Ballybough Nora and Royal Claret on these terms thought the latter never figured Newcastle yesterday while The Toojumpa and Betterlatethanneva have little chance on their form over hurdles.
Ballybough Nora (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Jumped awkwardly in rear, headway 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Heavey (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Betterlatethanneva (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased winner until before 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 7, 23 3/4l behind Jonjoela (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Midnight Tune 11-8 (11-0) Mostly jumped well albeit right at times, led until 3rd, in front again 5th, mistake 9th, hit 12th, pushed along and headed 3 out, well held and eased next, 2nd of 6, 16l behind Sensulano (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) sft in Nov.
The Toojumpa 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, weakened 3 out, last of 9, 35 1/4l behind Oscar Rose (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Royal Claret 16-1 (10-3) Held up in last, slow 11th, well behind when mistake next, 5th of 8, 34 1/2l behind Diablo De Rouhet (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
