chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, every chance 2f out, no extra close home
led 2f, led again halfway, ridden, headed over 3f out, led again 2f out, soon edged left, stayed on
chased leaders, outpaced, hung left over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out
prominent, keen, led after 2f to halfway, ridden, every chance over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, led over 3f out, ridden, headed 2f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
behind, headway after 4f, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, headway halfway, outpaced 5f out, no danger after
took keen hold, always towards rear
in touch, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
behind, stayed on under pressure from over 2f out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 4f out, hung left, weakened 3f out
A decent bumper which can involve Heraldry, Night Safe, Dancewiththedevil and Cooldine Boy and we take Dancewiththedevil to score. Tony McCoy gets the leg up on this British debutante, whose heavy ground Limerick debut offered plenty of promise for this contest. Beaten only a length and having had over a month to recover, the gelding can go one better this time. First timer Cooldine Boy will be popular with punters from a yard that does well in this sphere, and he has some useful pointing form to his name. However, winning first time out on heavy ground might just be beyond him. Heraldry carries a double penalty for successive wins and completing a hat-trick will be difficult as a result. However, he will handle the ground and cannot be discounted. Night Safe is another winner in the field and if reproducing his Huntingdon form then he can get involved, though he has to prove he handles this surface. As always, keep an eye on the marker here, but without that knowledge we will side with Dancewiththedevil.
Heraldry (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, led over 1f out, pushed out, won at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov beating Deep Moon (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Night Safe (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Always prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 1f out, rallied and ran on to lead final strides, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec beating Kimi (10-13) by a hd, 17 ran.
Oakapple Express 7-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden, stayed on well final 2f, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 19, 7l behind Young Albert (11-4) at Ayr 2m nhf (H) sft in Dec.
Ajay (IRE) Posidonas gelding out of Gothic Shadow.
Bronze King Rakaposhi King gelding out of Bronze Sunset.
Cooldine Boy (IRE) (12-0) Won at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Deefour (12-0) by 2l, 18 ran.
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Always behind, 8th of 10, 29l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Jan.
Dancewiththedevil (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd approaching straight, ridden to challenge and lead 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Flowonlovelyriver (11-9) at Limerick 2m nhf hvy in Jan.
Electric Times (IRE) Good Thyne gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Hobbs.
Fingersthumbsngums (IRE) Oscar gelding, half-brother to the very useful Cab On Target and several other winning jumpers.
Irish Guard Infantry gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Little Rocker (IRE) Rock Hopper gelding, half-brother to useful chaser Too Forward.
Man of Mine 5-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and steady headway from 4f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 7l behind Leading Authority (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Master Bury Overbury gelding out of a moderate maiden.
Mister Etek Defacto gelding, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Nodforms Victoria (IRE) Arctic Lord gelding out of Webb Find.
Whitewater Dash Bob Back gelding out of Skiddaw Samba.
Wolds Way 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, hard pressed final 2f, hung left and kept on towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gd in Nov beating Tooting (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Kerne Bridge Sovereign Water mare out of Plassey Bridge.
Jillanory Riverhead filly, half-sister to a modest performer in bumpers and over hurdles.
