Ebony Queen is probably better than she showed on her debut at Taunton and Henrietta Knight's mare may do better on this faster surface but it is hard to get away from La Dame Brune, who is preferred to Iron Maid. The last mentioned is a daughter of Shambo trained by Oliver Sherwood and could be of interest on her debut. She certainly makes more appeal than Mark Rimell's Karinga Bay mare Luccombe Bay, who is bred to want further. Gaelic Gift showed promise first time out and should improve for the run having run green, while Final Over makes only limited appeal on pedigree. The Seamus Mullins-trained Strawberry is another worth a look at in the market on her debut but the one that they all have to beat looks to be La Dame Brune, who showed promise over 1m5f at Doncaster on her debut. She should improve for today's longer trip and is taken to improve trainer Nicky Henderson's already impressive strike-rate with his bumper horses.
Ebony Queen 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 46l behind Rhacophorus (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Final Over Overbury mare out of winning chaser Final Pride.
Iron Maid Shambo mare, half-sister to winning jumper Longshanks.
Luccombe Bay Karinga Bay mare out of a moderate racemare.
Mrs Higham (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led over 5f out, to over 4f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 12, 33l behind Colline de Fleurs (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Strawberry (IRE) Beneficial mare, half-sister to winning jumper Alphazar.
Tudor Rose (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Keen in touch, weakened 7f out, pulled up over 5f out pulled up in race won by Lady Bling Bling (10-11) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (H) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Wenrus Lady Overbury mare out of 1m1f to 1m4f winner Persian Symphony.
Gaelic Gift (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, steady headway 6f out, chased leading pair over 3f out, one pace over 1f out, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Cockspur (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb.
La Dame Brune (FR) 3-1fav (10-5) In touch, outpaced 4f out, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, kept on, 5th of 18, 13l behind Dand Nee (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gf in Dec.
Little Laurita 16-1 (10-12) Never better than mid-division, 12th of 19, 41l behind Inherent (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (H) gs in Dec.
