It was disappointing that Hollies Pearl couldn't repel the challenge of Rene's Girl at Warwick having beaten that same rival here earlier. She'll need more to get back to winning ways in this but Midnight Jazz was not beaten far when fourth in a Class 2 handicap at Cheltenham on her latest start. The top weight won here last April and has a good strike rate. Altesse De Guye probably need further but can't be ruled out from near the foot of the weights and At First Light has been in splendid form. Drumviredy also looks to have every chance but we'll take a chance on QUEEN OF THE STAGE. Lizzie Kelly's mount won twice last season and kept good company thereafter. She caught the eye on her reappearance in a Listed race at Sandown and will strip fitter here.
Midnight Jazz 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 4th, challenged after 2 out, led last, soon headed, one pace and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Lily Waugh (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Queen Of The Stage (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway 4th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, not fluent and no impression 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Polly Peachum (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Hollies Pearl 2-5fav (11-5) Went left and not fluent 1st, pressed leader, led after 3 out, hard pressed next, driven between last 2, headed narrowly last, ridden and one pace flat, well held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Rene's Girl (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Streets Of Promise (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until dropped to rear after 2nd, reminders and behind 10th, pulled up next, at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Midnight Belle 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, mistake 8th, soon headed, pushed along 9th, weakened 5 out, pulled up next, at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
At First Light 10-1 (11-8) With leader, led 5th, headed before 2 out, rallied to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Tambura (11-11) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Drumviredy (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Awesome Rosie (10-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Dec.
Forgivienne 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, stumbled badly 10th, soon pulled up, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Altesse De Guye (FR) 11-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway chasing leaders 4 out, 3rd after next, ridden and no impression before 2 out, went modest 2nd post, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Desert Queen (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Cailleach Annie (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Vieux Lille (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
