led, ridden and headed approaching 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place over 4f out
held up, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place
held up, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Despite a smallish field this is a decent bumper and SURE JOSIE SURE caught the eye when scoring here in a mares' contest last time, and without a penalty she can probably follow-up, while Peddlers Cross and Bescot Springs are among others likely to get competitive. The selection showed improved form for a summer on her back to score by 12 lengths in similar conditions here earlier in the month. Admittedly, this looks a fair bit tougher on paper, but confidence will be high after that success, and David Pipe has not been shy of taking on the fellas here, and we think his mare can repeat the dose. Peddlers Cross took an Irish point on good to yielding in March before joining Donald McCain. Given the trainer's record both at this track and in bumpers, we will give Jason Maguire's mount plenty of respect, though he has to prove he handles going this deep. Debutant Bescot Springs represents an in-form stable and is related to winners in bumpers and over the sticks, while pedigree also suggests that he will act with cut, so watch the market for clues. The latter comment applies to South America, who runs for powerful connections and has the mudloving Montjeu as a sire, so may well also act on the ground. Hard Act won a soft ground Bangor bumper last week but now has the arduous task of a penalty to shoulder, and that probably looks beyond him. Sure Josie Sure can again score.
Hard Act (IRE) 5-4fav (10-11) Made all, shaken up to go clear final furlong, won at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft beating Rhythm Seeker (10-9) by 6l, 5 ran.
Bescot Springs (IRE) Saddlers' Hall gelding out of Silver Glen.
Cloud Buster Cloudings gelding out of Tibbi Blues.
Fiddlers Reel 10-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to go 2nd well over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Willie Hall (10-11) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs.
Macdougal (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Accountancy Lady.
Peddlers Cross (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Cl up, 6th 1/2way, prog in 4th from 3out, ld bef 2out & gng best last, row, won at Liscarroll 2m ire ptp in Mar beating Clashnabrook (11-7) by 3l, 15 ran.
South America (NZ) Montjeu gelding out of Kingstonette.
Sure Josie Sure (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, won at Haydock 2m N H flat (5) hvy beating Just For Jean (10-12) by 12l, 11 ran.
Vicarage Lane 66-1 (11-0) Held up, heaway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed onwell final furlong nearest finish, 4th of 17, 6l behind Solway Sam (11-2) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
