chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner
led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened entering final 2f
held up, closer 12f out, tracked leaders going well over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, chased winner 2f out, until over 1f out, plugged on in 3rd
chased leader 4f, chased leaders, 2nd again 7f out until pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out
raced keenly in touch, outpaced 3f out, kept on again inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up in touch, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 2nd 12f out until 7f out, 2nd again over 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up in last pair, never on terms
held up in last trio, smooth headway on outside chasing leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear final 2f, very easily
This appeals as a cracking bumper full of real potential for the future. However, finding a selection is not straightforward as only two of the field - Ocean Wind and Brief Ambition - have won on good ground and it's hard to predict how those facing such conditions for the first time will fare. Adrimel would have been the choice on soft ground or worse after really impressing at Uttoxeter on his Rules debut but that success arrived on the heavy. The aforementioned Ocean Wind is tempting but the two making most appeal are Champagnesuperover and WILDE ABOUT OSCAR. The former could not have won more easily at Ayr and commands the greatest respect but Dan Skelton's charge was equally impressive with his turn of foot the last day and his debut second to Ask A Honey Bee now looks strong form. He just gets the vote over the Murphy inmate.
Brief Ambition 7-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, raced wide far side, headway over 4f out, effort turning in, one pace when switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Israel Champ (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Castle Robin (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led early, prominent, ridden 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 7 1/2l behind One True King (11-4) at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Jan.
Champagnesuperover (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd and poised to challenge over 4f out, led on bit over 2f out, soon clear, unchallenged after, impressive, won at Ayr 2m (5) sft in Jan beating Western Starlet (11-5) by 16l, 8 ran.
Getaround (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Made all, ridden clear 3f out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Malinello (11-0) by 12l, 7 ran.
Glencassley (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, edged left and kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 5th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Picanha (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Wilde About Oscar (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd going well over 3f out, led on home turn, came clear final 2f, pushed out, won at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Dec beating Scarpia (11-0) by 9l, 14 ran.
Audacity 16-1 (10-12) Made all, clear for 5f, ridden over 2f out, hung right entering final furlong, soon edged left, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) sft in Jan beating Ocean Wind (10-12) by nk, 16 ran.
Grand Lord (FR) (9-9) 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Genola (9-6) at Argentan 1m 6f hvy in Sep.
Ocean Wind 9-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, switched left over 1f out, pressing winner inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Audacity (10-12) at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Adrimel (FR) 6-4 (11-0) Made all, clear over 2f out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Dec beating Big Data (11-0) by 26l, 7 ran.
