went left start, always in rear, behind from halfway
mid-division, headway 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, shaken up to lead over 2f out, soon clear, easily
mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 5f out, no impression
prominent, chased leader halfway, ridden 5f out, soon weakened
in touch, headway halfway, ridden 5f out, one pace
towards rear, headway 7f out, ridden behind leaders 3f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden, effort 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway 7f out, ridden 4f out, stayed on to go 2nd final furlong
towards rear, ridden 6f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden, some headway 5f out, weakened 3f out
always behind, ridden after 7f, stayed on one pace from 3f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden, outpaced 3f out, stayed on to go 3rd final furlong
prominent, led halfway, ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, ridden 7f out, soon weakened
The quartet against the field in this bumper look to be Sassanias, Like A Hurricane, Fassaroe and Weird Al and the vote goes to Sassanias. Alan King continues to fire in the winners and this gelding went close here on debut over 1m 5f. The step up in trip should certainly help and the ground suits, so he can begin to recoup some of the 100,000 Euros purchase price. Like A Hurricane was second to the useful Hell's Bay in a good ground Wincanton bumper in November, form which entitles him to plenty of respect. However, that was on good ground and with Strong Gale in his dam's pedigree it may be that he will prove best on a sound surface. Fassaroe, on the other hand, has Supreme Leader on his dam's side and therefore cut will arguably suit him better than when a decent third at Bangor on good ground and he can go well. Newcomer Weird Al is well related and from a good yard going well so a win would be no major shock, but experience on the racecourse can prove vital for our choice Sassanias.
Corton Copse Sylvan Express gelding out of Corton Hill.
Fassaroe 15-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 7f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, hampered inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Apache Brave (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Foxy Bob (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Held up, under pressure 8f out, soon well behind, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Latanier (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Grey Topper 40-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 5f out, soon ridden, weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 28l behind What A Friend (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in May.
Hazard Away 40-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 5f out, 11th of 15, 38l behind Covert Mission (10-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Justabout Classic Cliche gelding out of the high-class chaser Dubacilla. Half-brother to a couple of winners.
Krackatara 14-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 6f out, soon ridden, one pace, 5th of 16, 9l behind Take Me There (11-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Like A Hurricane (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on well close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Weird Al (IRE) Accordion gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Millcroft Seaspray.
Willie Warson (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Roaming West (IRE) Roi de Rome filly, half-sister to 7f-1m winner Among Women.
Silver Gora Silver Patriarch mare out of winning chaser Just Steffi.
Skipperham Well 80-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up over 2f out pulled up in race won by Gansey (11-4) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Sassanias (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Awesome George (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Simply Blue 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3f out, one pace from 2f out, 7th of 15, 8l behind Yonder (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Southway Queen 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division until over 4f out, 12th of 16, 19l behind Valdas Queen (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f nhf (5) gs in Dec.
