Midnight Queen is versatile but failed to cope with a 7lb rise at Catterick after scoring back over hurdles at Fakenham. Soft going was a legitimate excuse for Aquarian at Huntingdon last time, however, and Jonjo O’Neill junior takes off 5lb. JAYCOLS STAR was keeping on when fourth last time at Doncaster and collateral form gives him the beating of Lammturner so Philip Kirby’s four-year-old gets the nod now that connections appear to have found his trip. Some Operator is tried in cheekpieces and would go close if they sparked a revival while The Sting may be capable of better now handicapping.
Aquarian (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) In touch towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 32 1/2l behind Strong Resemblance (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
The Sting (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Not fluent, held up in touch, lost place 5th, behind and struggling 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 27 1/4l behind Hogan's Height (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
Some Operator (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, lost place after 6th, well beaten next, 14th of 15, dist behind Oliver's Island (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Ska Ridge 66-1 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake 1st, not fluent next, ridden 5th, last next, pulled up before 3 out, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Bignorm (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) In rear, struggling 4 out, plugged on from 2 out to take modest 5th before last, 5th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Oliver's Island (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Midnight Queen 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place after 5th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and stayed on to take well held 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Inchcolm (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Alice Lisle 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, not fluent and lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Jaycols Star 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, disputing 3rd and held when mistake last, one pace, 4th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Diggin Deep (12-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Lammturner (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, slow 3rd, headway approaching 7th, effort 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Discay (12-2) at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Arboretum 66-1 (10-6) Held up behind, headway and in touch on outside after 5th, lost place 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off next, 8th of 9, dist behind Inchcolm (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Helamis 66-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3 out, kept on flat, went 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 15, 8 1/4l behind Oliver's Island (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
