raced keenly, held up, improved to go 2nd after 7th, challenging when impeded between last 2, no extra flat, lost 2nd towards finish
jumped slowly 1st, soon pressing leader, led 3rd to 4th, not fluent 6th, hanging and weakened after 3 out
pulled hard, soon close up, led after 4th, hit 5th, headed before next, regained lead at hurdle, hit 7th, soon headed, weakened before 3 out, hit 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold early, raced in last, pushed along after 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, hit 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd towards finish
led to 3rd, led 4th, soon headed, led approaching 6th, headed at hurdle, led after 7th, hung badly left between last 2, hung left again when drawing clear flat, ridden out
Viva Colonia is very interesting here, but after a lengthy-enough absence and with a penalty to carry we will oppose with PENYFAN DAWN. Tim Vaughan has his string in fine shape and he has kept the selection busy since the Bach gelding landed a fast ground Taunton bumper in March. Tried over this trip and on fast ground at Worcester last time, his run behind William's Wishes was solid in the context of this race, and from the same mark he may just about be good enough. Viva Covonia is the obvious danger and did win comfortably on debut at Fontwell in May. He was fresh that day, so there is no problem on that score, but Charlie Mann's recent few runners have not shown much and you are risking that if playing the top weight. Mid Valley has run well in defeat here before on fast ground, and shouldn't mind this trip, but he has not shown enough in five hurdles starts to be recommended this time. Debutant Casual Garcia will relish hearing his hooves rattle and will certainly get home over this trip, so support for him would be interesting, and he doesn't have much to find if able to improve a little on his flat form, but preference is for Penyfan Dawn.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 1st, went 2nd 4 out, led going well 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed after last, driven and stayed on to assert towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in May beating Newsday (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Casual Garcia 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 17l behind Rotative (10-0) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep (flat).
Mid Valley 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3f out, kept on into modest 3rd 2f out, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Rockys Choice (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Penyfan Dawn (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up well in rear, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind William's Wishes (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Stopped Out 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 25l behind Shadow Dancer (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Solway Andbeyond 40-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place and behind 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Dunaskin (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Aug, 10 ran.
