not fluent 1st, in touch, pushed along 5th, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, hit 4 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, weakened next
jumped poorly, never travelling in rear, pushed along after 3rd, lost touch approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden, lost place after 5th, well beaten when blundered 2 out and last
made virtually all, hard ridden after 2 out, went left, not fluent last, soon joined, hard driven, held on gamely, all out
in touch, ridden along after 4 out, headway under pressure before next, tracked leaders 2 out, chased winner before last, driven upside run-in, just failed
held up towards rear, driven along, struggling before 3 out
chased winner from 2nd, hit 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
MIDNIGHT QUEEN, Queen Poline and Palmito are shortlisted in what looks a competitive opener and the vote goes to Midnight Queen. The selection won a beginners' chase at Fontwell earlier in the month on her return from a lengthy break and she looks quite a smart prospect. She shaped with promise over hurdles on her previous try in this sphere and she looks to have been found a good opportunity to get her head in front. Queen Poline ran well for a long way at Lingfield earlier in the month and she shapes as though this longer trip will play to her strengths. Palmito won a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las last month and she was far from disgraced at Wetherby when last seen out. She has to be of interest here, although she has yet to prove she stays this trip. Gilwen Glory won last time and she proved that day that she does handle juice in the ground. She is capable of making the frame but the vote goes to Midnight Queen.
Gilwen Glory (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Prominent, lost place when hampered 5th, rider lost iron briefly, headway to go 2nd approaching 3 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) sft beating Bathwick Quest (10-10) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Palmito (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, driven 2 out, headed when not fluent last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Skylancer (11-8) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Champagne Floozie 9-1 (11-2) Fell 2nd, in a race won by Weststern (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Ede's The Best 33-1 (10-0) Tracked leading pair, led before 5th, headed just before 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Nothing's Easy (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Midnight Queen 16-1 (11-0) Made all, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs beating Cool Friend (11-0) by 10l, 8 ran.
Miss Overdrive 7-4fav (10-10) In touch, hampered 2nd, ridden after 5th, jumped left and mistake 3 out, soon lost place, stayed on approaching last, took 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 13l behind Alegralil (10-10) at Towcester 2m mares NH nov hdl (4) gs.
Quapriland (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, kept on steadily final 2f, no danger, 4th of 8, 17l behind King's Legacy (11-2) at Kempton 2m NH flat (4) gs in Feb.
Queen Poline (FR) 3-1 (10-10) Close up, left 2nd at 3rd, led 5th to 2 out, no extra before last, 4th of 14, 6l behind Alasi (10-10) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Carrigeen Queen (IRE) Darnay mare out of Carrigeen Lily.
