A few of these are old rivals but DESERT QUEEN is the class act. Harry Fry’s mare is sometimes let down by her jumping but she easily beat Kassis at Leicester last time in a race in which Kilronan High unseated her rider and this sharp track will play to her strengths. Recent Catterick winner Actinpieces was last when the top weight won at Market Rasen in November but Antartica De Thaix could make a race of it if a recent Bangor victory has boosted her confidence. Pass The Time is also a potential fly in the ointment as she has won twice over fences and generally performs at a high level - a recent spin on the all-weather will have blown away any cobwebs.
Desert Queen 4-1 (11-10) Jumped left, made all, clear 4th, not fluent 13th, reduced lead when not fluent 4 out, went away again from 2 out, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 7f lst (1) gd in Jan beating Cresswell Breeze (11-0) by 10l, 8 ran.
Actinpieces 5-1 (12-2) Held up in touch in last pair, steady headway tracking leaders 4 out, 3rd next, ridden and went 2nd last, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Conquer Gold (11-5) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Antartica De Thaix (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, led before and left well clear last, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Feb beating Lochnell (10-12) by dist, 5 ran.
Colla Pier (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up, 6th halfway, progress into 4th 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, no extra in 5th before last, slight mistake when left 4th and hampered last, weakened, 5th of 9, 25l behind Westerner Lady (11-5) at Thurles 2m 4f (1) Yielding - Soft in Jan.
Kassis 100-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 12th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, 4th last, no impression, 4th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Desert Queen (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Kilronan High (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased winner until mistake and unseated rider 10th, at Leicester 2m 7f lst (1) gd in Jan.
Pass The Time 15-8fav (9-13) Raced keenly, tracked leader 2f, stayed handy, effort to challenge 3f out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Ryan The Giant (8-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
