mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed 6f out, soon ridden, lost place over 4f out
held up, keen, joined leaders after 4f, lost place halfway, tailed off
in touch, headway over 4f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, kept on final furlong
held up, led 6f out, headed over 4f out, one pace
tracked leaders, keen, lost place halfway, tailed off
tracked leaders, saddle slipped, joined leaders after 4f , pulled up before halfway
prominent, pushed along halfway, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, pushed clear over 1f out, easily
held up, headway halfway, chased winner 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, lost place halfway, tailed off
In what is quite an interesting bumper, the market should be watched with interest but, without the benefit of that, we will side with Astarador ahead of Medic and Star Shot. Much as Star Shot was beaten at Cheltenham last time, his Uttoxeter win the time before affords him respect. Being a half-brother to an Irish bumper winner, and his dam is from the same family as Iris's Gift, Arctic Ghost gets a decent mention, as does Georgedoubleyou, who cost 26,000 euros and his dam is a half-sister to The Grey Monk. Medic cost 75,000 euros as a yearling and has very interesting breeding, while The Bay Bogle and Bannow Beach both have something to like based on their bloodlines. Astarador showed plenty of promise when second on his Wetherby debut, while Moshayer is bred to be better than he suggested at Towcester on his debut and, to be fair, he probably is. All in all, then, we'll give the vote to Astarador, but watch that betting.
Star Shot (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Always behind, 15th of 19, 42l behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (A) gs in Nov.
Guess What 40-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, driven 7f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Baron Romeo (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Medic (IRE) Dr Fong gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Overfields 10-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden and one pace final 3f, 4th of 13, 14l behind Suprendre Espere (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Bannow Beach (IRE) Saddlers' Hall mare, half-sister to winning bumper Innbrodericksbar.
Tuckers Bay 25-1 (10-6) Prominent, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 8, 40l behind What A Vintage (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov.
Astarador (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Alfie Flits (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Mohayer (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 8, 17l behind Saratogane (10-5) at Towcester 1m 5f nhf (H) sft in Nov.
