mid-division on inside, smooth headway to challenge 2f out, soon could not go pace of leader, stayed on well
chased leader, pushed along and weakened rapidly over 2f out
prominent on inside, led 5f out, ridden and hard pressed over 2f out, soon headed, kept on in 3rd
mid-division, pushed along and weakened over 3f out
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, late headway final furlong
rear of mid-division, headway out wide 3f out, pushed along and could not go pace of leaders over 1f out, plugged on
rear of mid-division, pushed along and made no impression 2f out
led, keen throughout, ridden and headed 5f out, weakened thereafter
in rear, struggling 3f out, never landed a blow
mid-division out wide, headway tracking leader 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on
mid-division, pushed along and weakened 3f out
held up, headway going well 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, clear final 100 yards, ran on well
The form of this should be worth following with all but four of the 15 runners having won at least one bumper previously. Horaces Pearl has won twice at Wincanton while Paul Nicholls saddles both Captain Bellamy, the choice of Harry Cobden, and the returning Marvellous Mick. Brechin Castle carries a 4lb penalty for winning in this grade at Cheltenham but remains unbeaten but I Wont Back Down is having a first run for Harry Fry. Ami Bondhu beat a subsequent winner at Fakenham but this is a much tougher assignment while Mr Zippi will also need to improve on his summer form. Future Fortune and Let It Rain have a fillies’ allowance and Celtic Dino has already won around here but we’ll take a chance on DUNSKAY, who impressed at Exeter when holding off the well-backed Anno Power with the front two pulling a long way clear.
Brechin Castle (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, smooth headway turning in, ridden to lead over 1f out, in command when edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Fire Flyer (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Captain Bellamy 5-4fav (10-13) Made all, hung badly left final 2f, came clear final furlong, kept on well, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Oct beating Walk In The Hills (10-13) by 4l, 16 ran.
Celtic Dino (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Made all, came clear final 2f, kept on strongly, won at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Nov beating Monty Bodkin (11-2) by 4 1/4l, 11 ran.
Dunskay (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader until before halfway, chased leaders, led over 2f out, pressed over 1f out, stayed on to assert final furlong, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov beating Anno Power (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
I'm A Lumberjack 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and pressed leader well over 1f out, every chance inside last, kept on, no match for winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Navajo Indy (11-2) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
I Wont Back Down (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, led 6f out, travelled well approaching straight, pushed out to assert and drew clear inside final furlong, won at Ballinrobe 2m sft in Apr beating Desert Halo (11-10) by 7l, 12 ran.
Marvellous Mick 6-5fav (11-2) Ran green, tracked leaders, pressed leader over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, hung left well inside last, stayed on well, won going away, won at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec beating Idefix De Ciergues (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Minella Miracle (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Led, wide into straight 3f out, pushed along and soon headed, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 14 3/4l behind Regent's Stroll (11-2) at Ascot 2m (3) gd in Nov.
Mr Zippi 4-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, closed over 3f out, went 2nd going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Jun beating Six And Out (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
U Cant Be Serious (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Raced wide on mid-division, headway chasing leaders and edged right final furlong, went 3rd inside final 100 yards until towards finish, 4th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Celtic Dino (11-2) at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Willoughby Cleeve (FR) Motivator gelding out of Galaxidi.
Future Fortune (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and hung right approaching final furlong, ran green inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m (5) gd in Oct beating Diamond Dice (10-13) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Let It Rain 7-2fav (11-2) In rear, smooth headway over 3f out travelling strongly, led 1f out, shaken up and stretched clear, impressive, won at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Nov beating The Secret Pearl (11-2) by 8l, 16 ran.
Ami Bondhu (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 6f out, led 2f out, soon clear, very easily, won at Fakenham 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Mistral Blue (10-9) by 12l, 8 ran.
Horaces Pearl (FR) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway out wide turning in, went 2nd inside final 2f, led inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on well, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Nov beating Roman Roy (11-2) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
