never better than mid-division
in rear, some headway on inside over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon led, driven out final furlong
chased leaders, switched left over 2f out, chased winner just inside final 2f, no impression and edged right inside final furlong
soon chasing leader, driven and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
behind final 4f
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on to dispute 3rd inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to chase leaders
chased leader, ridden halfway, lost place over 4f out
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 3f out
went left start, behind most of way
This is probably the strongest bumper that has been run so far this season and should provide plenty of winners but it is KERADA that is taken to win today, with the main threats rated as Moorlands Teri and Diklers Oscar. Keith Reveley's mare is more experienced than most of these after four starts but has shown a decent level of form having not been out of the first two in any of her four outings and proving to be good value for her successes at Haydock and Wetherby. She has the beating of Kentucky Sky on running last time and should be involved at the finish again. Paul Nolan's Golden Sunbird won well enough on her debut at Cork in December and has to be respected on only her second start having made the journey over from Ireland. Jockey bookings suggest that Polly Potter is the better fancied of Alan King's two runners ahead of Asturienne, while Jonathan Geake's Peveril Pandora showed improved form when successful at Ludlow last time but this is tougher. Tim Vaughan's Moorlands Teri showed promise last term but has gone better this season and she has to be respected but preference is for Kerada.
Asturienne 2-1fav (11-4) Held up, headway to track leader 5f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Hayes Princess (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Diklers Oscar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to lead over 3f out, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Nov beating Kentucky Sky (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Gilwen Glory (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden and challenged 2f out, led just inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gs in Jan beating Fleur de Vassy (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Golden Sunbird (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway to 6th 4f out, ridden into 4th 2f out, stayed on to challenge 1f out, led inside final furlong and kept on well close home to assert, won at Cork 2m nhf hvy in Dec beating The Book Thief (11-4) by 2l, 10 ran.
Keltic Cliche 28-1 (11-2) Held up last, headway 4f out, challenged over 2f out, stayed on same pace to go 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Gilwen Glory (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Kentucky Sky 5-4fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, drew clear from over 1f out, won at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gd in Dec beating Miss Keck (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
