mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
steadied start, took keen hold, soon in touch, lost place after 5f, no danger after
held up towards rear, headway 10f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on
took keen hold, soon in touch, weakened over 4f out
held up, headway over 6f out, ridden, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway on inside 9f out, ridden, weakened over 4f out
in rear, pushed along, struggling from halfway
held up, headway over 8f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 8f out, hung righ, headed well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
took keen hold, in touch, weakened over 4f out
tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A quartet against the field in this bumper are Definite Edge, Vilcabamba, Evelith Abbey and Super Martina and the vote goes to Vilcabamba. The Venetia Williams-trained selection was short headed on his only start to date in a Southwell bumper last June. Being by Hernando he should cope with any ground and he is out of good jumping stock and should improve, so we'll side with him. Definite Edge may shade him in the market for favouritism and Paul Nicholls' gelding has had two runs to date, being a beaten favourite at Chepstow last time. That form is probably comparable to the selection, though his ability to handle ground quite this soft is open to question so he is just opposed. Super Martina was another beaten favourite last time and was taken out of a race recently, presumably to wait for more cut in the ground, as her pedigree suggests. She gets that here and can go well. Evelith Abbey will surely be better than a decent enough debut effort last year and we could see more, but Vilcabamba is the one today.
Alfie Atkins Alflora gelding out of an unraced mare.
Another Winnie Parthian Springs gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Definite Edge (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) In touch, hampered 6f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 4th of 16, 5l behind The Apprentice (10-13) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Dromderrig (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, hung right final 4f, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 32l behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Illogical Hope (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway, 10f out, weakened 8f out, 8th of 12, 46l behind Black Ven (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Jivin' Johnny Big John gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Job One (FR) Kahyasi gelding out of French 1m2f winner Corrossol.
Lancaster Sound (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In touch and keen, behind after 6f, brief effort over 5f out, 9th of 13, 29l behind Kingston Lane (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Vilcabamba 9-2 (11-0) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ridden and ran on well towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Kilcannon Supreme (11-0) at Southwell 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Evelith Abbey (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Prominent, ridden halfway, stayed on, 5th of 14, 9l behind Diavoleria (10-4) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Mar.
Pentaran 100-1 (10-8) Always behind, 12th of 13, well behind Kingsben (11-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Super Martina (IRE) 15-8fav (10-11) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, weakened approaching 1f out, 4th of 13, 6l behind Hillridge (10-11) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Mapledurham (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 30l behind Nulato (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Fair Coppelia 66-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 11th of 13, 18l behind Hell's Bay (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
