in touch, led approaching 3 out, ridden, headed last, no extra
in touch, weakened after 4 out, behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up, never troubled leaders
held up, ridden 6th, soon weakened
held up, outpaced 6th, ridden, headway approaching 3 out, ran on flat
held up, ridden, weakened 6th
keen, led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
raced wide with leader, jumped left, every chance when ran out 3 out
held up, reminders, struggling at 4th, never danger after
in touch when pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up mid-division, never dangerous
always behind, pulled up 2 out
pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
held up, jumped well, smooth headway 6th, led last, ran on
A race in which only a few would appear to hold solid claims, of which we give the vote to Vertical Bloom ahead of Viciana and Bonchester Bridge. The selection actually finished three-and-a-half lengths behind Viciana when they met in a novice event at Towcester last month. However, much as the winner has run well since under a penalty, Vertical Bloom can reverse the form on six pounds better terms, having also run well since. Bonchester Bridge rate a big danger, having run well when third in a competitive Newbury event last time and is respected. Of the others, Haringay caught the eye of the stewards when behind in that Towcester race referred to but her breathing problems have been well chronicled, Polyanthus Jones has shown good promise in two bumpers but has not been seen since March 2004, while Sunshine Rays, who was declared to run at Leicester on Wednesday, won her bumper well but the form does not look strong and she has not been seen since that May 2004 effort. All of which returns us to the selection, Vertical Bloom.
Viciana 7-1 (11-0) Keen hold, chased leader to 5th, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on approaching last, 4th of 12, 7l behind Killaghy Castle (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Bonchester Bridge 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until 2 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Ballyhoo (10-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Harringay 9-4 (10-10) Held up mid-division, never near to challenge, 5th of 7, 14l behind Viciana (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Missy Moscow (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, one pace, 5th of 10, 17l behind Pearly Bay (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (C) gf in Nov.
Our Joycey 5-1 (10-5) Held up, towards rear, headway over 4f out, effort and hung right over 1f out, one pace under pressure, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Zaffie Parson (10-12) at Hexham 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Retro's Girl (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) With leader to 6th, hit next, weakened approaching 10th, 5th of 12, well behind Karanja (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Vertical Bloom 5-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 3rd, hit 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, hit last, headed post, 2nd of 15, nk behind Purple Patch (11-5) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Nov.
Sunshine Rays 3-1 (10-10) In touch, good headway to lead 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gf in May '04 beating The Game Is There (11-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
