prominent, took narrow lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, challenged 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on strongly to draw clear final furlong
took keen hold, soon pressing leader, racing awkwardly after 5f, took narrow lead 5f out, headed over 3f out, veered left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, took keen hold, struggling final 4f
in touch, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on final furlong to take 4th near finish
held up towards rear, raced keenly, struggling over 4f out, stayed on from over 1f out
in touch, pushed along over 7f out, weakened over 4f out
held up in rear, headway over 6f out, challenged over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
took good hold in lead, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon no impression and weakened
We finish with a tasty looking bumper and given that the form pair of Fiveways and Start Me Up have plenty to do under double penalties we side with Alan Kings MISS OVERDRIVE after a good display in Aintree's listed bumper on her final start last year. Prior to that the mare scored in similar company and with a weight advantage over the form animals in the field she can make a winning return for top connections. Start Me Up is probably the most likely of the two chasing bumper hat-tricks after winning some fair races in his native Ireland while Fiveways will have a useful five pounds removed from his load by his pilot but both previous wins have been in poor races. Sophies Trophy is another for the list after shaping like a winner without getting there in three starts and Grands Crus is the most interesting newcomer representing a powerful stable. Often these races can be somewhat of a lottery but Miss Overdirve sets the standard and that's who we side with.
Fiveways (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Soon led, made rest, ridden 1f out, kept on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Sep beating Papa Caruso (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Start Me Up (IRE) 4-9fav (12-0) Soon chased leaders in 4th, closed from 4f out, ridden into 2nd over 2f out, stayed on best inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Galway 2m 4f N H flat hvy in Aug beating Daneva (10-13) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Battle Group 5-2fav (11-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Flaygray (11-4) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gf in Sep.
Sheriff Hall (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 4f out to track leaders, led over 1f out, hung left and one pace final furlong, won at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun beating Parky (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Miss Overdrive 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 20, 11l behind Candy Creek (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs nhf (1) gd in Apr.
Sophies Trophy (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon no chance with easy winner but clear 2nd, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Oscar Whisky (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Mar.
Stevie Bull (IRE) Turtle Island gelding out of Jodi.
U B Carefull 2-1 (12-0) won at Bredwardine 3m ptp gd in May beating Hocinail (11-7) by 12l, 11 ran.
Walmsley 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders until 6f out, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Pendower (10-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Sleep Over Alflora filly out of Loving Around.
Brackloon High (IRE) Bob Back gelding out of Homebird.
Grands Crus (FR) Dom Alco gelding out of Fee Magic.
