Verdict

This contest took place over 1m3f at Southwell last year and was won by Viola. But she’s 7lb higher today while the progressive Queen Of Ipanema is an incredible 31lb higher than the start of her winning streak back in October. Tahasun beat subsequent 1m4f winner Sweet Fantasy over track and trip last month while Tequilamockingbird won a lower grade race here last time. SEA OF TSARINA (NAP) wasn’t at her best in soft going at Thirsk on her handicap debut but won over a mile here before that so the unexposed Haggas filly gets the vote with improvement expected over this extra distance.

Formwatch

Viola (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Off the pace in last pair, some late minor headway, never involved, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Pennymoor (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 5f lst fll stks (1) pol in Oct.

Sea Tsarina (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Held up off the pace in rear, never on terms, 7th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Golden Melody (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp fll (3) sft in Sep.

Queen Of Ipanema (IRE) 2-1jfav (9-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Obsidian Knight (9-2) by nk, 7 ran.

Sweet Fantasy 15-8fav (9-12) Keen early, prominent, led 3f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Infinitive (9-10) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.

Tequilamockingbird 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, good headway out wide over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, all out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Dinoo (9-6) by ns, 7 ran.

Tahasun (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, nudged along to close 3f out, led 1f out, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Sweet Fantasy (9-12) by nk, 12 ran.