mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
always towards rear, tailed off from over 4f out
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven out
mid-division, smooth headway from over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, not pace of winner final furlong
towards rear, smooth headway from over 6f out to track leaders over 2f out, ridden and no impression
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, effort and lost place over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on again over 1f out
always towards rear
mid-division, lost place over 5f out, soon beaten
mid-division, until ridden and weakened over 4f out
The market should provide a solid guide to solving this bumper. No prizes for originality and MERIDIAN CITY, a 100,000 guineas purchase that dead-heated for third spot on his racecourse debut can win it. From a family that comprises of horses that came into their won as chasers in Saxophone and Justpourit, the two miles around Southwell appeared on the sharp side for Meridian City who possibly was held-up too far off that pace around the sharp circumference of Southwell. Fellow third placed horse Last One Standing failed to add substance to the form in a winners bumper at Cheltenham at the open meeting but with Meridian City likely to be ridden more prominently, he should take all the beating. Len Lungo's has his team in fine form with five winners this month and Southerness made his first start for over twelve months when finishing third in a Sedgefield bumper on his most recent start. The winner of that particular bumper Sharadiyn ran respectably in a maiden hurdle during the week. Leith Walk, a full-brother to Ajay who races earlier on this card has shown some promise in three bumpers last season but perhaps will be more effective over further in time. Market support for Dark Moon should be noted with the yard having a line to Southerness. This bumper does not appear as if it will take much winning and Meridian City would not need to improve to land it.
Bishops Ploy (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, went 2nd over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 30l behind Quwetwo (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gs.
Dark Moon (GER) Protektor gelding out of Dimona.
Gun Runner Apprehension gelding out of Rosie Gunrunner.
Meridian City (IRE) 7-2 (10-11) In touch, lost place 9f out, headway 7f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind The Panama Kid (10-11) at Southwell 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Now This Is It (IRE) Accordion gelding out of Leitrim Bridge.
Southerness 6-1 (11-2) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sharadiyn (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gs.
Stormin Exit (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Always behind, reminders before halfway, soon weakened, completely tailed off, last of 15, well behind Pandorama (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f nhf gs in Mar.
Vincent Pipe (IRE) Presenting gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Glendante.
Claresburn 33-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 38l behind Karmadice (10-8) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Ikansea (IRE) Scribano mare out of Cullenstown Lady.
Leith Walk (IRE) 6-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Go On Be A Lady (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mrs nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Miss Pimpinella 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, well behind Karmadice (10-8) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Shamboyant Shambo mare out of Carbery Spirit.
