chased leader until 10f out, chased leaders, went 2nd again over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened quickly well over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 10f out until over 3f out, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace in 4th over 1f out
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside 5f out, chased leaders 4f out, soon pushed along, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led until 2f out, weakened quickly, soon behind
took keen hold, soon steadied in touch in 5th, headway on inside 5f out, tracking leaders and every chance approaching final 2f, weakened entering final furlong
mid-division, pushed laong 5f out, soon lost place
tracked leaders on outside, led entering final 2f, ridden and went clear inside final furlong, kept on strongly
took keen hold, tracking leaders, pushed along 4f out, one pace final 2f
held up and always behind
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and went modest 3rd over 1f out, no chance with 1st 2
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final 2f
This looks a cracking renewal and it will be a surprise if we don't see a number of these lining up for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in a few months' time. Dashing Oscar, Pengo's Boy, Simon Squirrel, Stonegate and Supasundae have all won their only start and are open to obvious improvement. Yanworth is two from two and proven on soft ground while the filly Rio Treasure has already scored at Listowel and Cork and will be testing the water for Willie Mullins' big guns. It took MIDNIGHT SHOT three runs to get off the mark but he looked to be approaching the finished article when easily beating a couple of well-regarded rivals at Haydock and his form, in general, looks solid. Charlie Longsdon's charge gets a tentative vote, though Thistlecrack is definitely one to follow this winter.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Oct beating Act Now (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Final Nudge (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 6f out, ran slightly wide on home turn, chased winner 2f out, no impression, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Definitly Red (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec '13.
Midnight Shot Evensfav (10-9) Held up 3rd and last, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, led 2f out, drew clear on bit over 1f out, very easily, won at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov beating Dean's Walk (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Pengo's Boy 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, led over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, won at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs in Nov beating Santa's Secret (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Red Devil Star (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, soon lost 2nd place, wekened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Tambura (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft.
Simon Squirrel (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, pushed along to lead well over 2f out, ridden and clear when edged right inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Apr beating Rock The Kasbah (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Stonegate 15-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear in chasing group, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, soon driven clear, very easy, won at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov beating Georgieshore (10-9) by 19l, 6 ran.
Supasundae 9-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Azure Glamour (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Thistlecrack 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 8f out, challenged 5f out, led 4f out, clear final furlong, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Neck Or Nothing (11-9) by 3l, 10 ran.
Whatthebutlersaw (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression final 2f, 4th of 10, 18l behind Always Lion (11-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Yanworth 11-10fav (11-7) Took keen hold tracking leader, led on bit entering final furlong, hard held, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov beating Rabunda (11-0) by 2l, 4 ran.
Rio Treasure (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) In rear at slow pace, went 3rd before straight, led over 2f out, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Cork 2m NH flat hvy in Nov beating Montys Meadow (11-11) by 9l, 5 ran.
Timon's Tara 9-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, went 4th and plugged on final 2f, nearest finish, 4th of 7, 7l behind Arthamint (11-2) at Ludlow 1m 6f NH flat (5) gs.
