raced on outside, held up in rear, steady headway over 4f out, chased winner over 3f out, no impression when hung left over 2f out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
held up, under pressure 8f out, soon well behind, tailed off
held up, steady headway over 4f out, went 3rd over 2f out, chased winner inside final 2f, soon one pace, no impression
raced on inside, held up, headway 6f out, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
raced wide, made all, clear 4f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
raced on inside, in touch, weakened over 6f out, tailed off when pulled up inside final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
prominent, ridden halfway, lost place final 6f , tailed off
prominent, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off
The betting will help, as it invariably does when there isn't much form to work with, however Bump In The Night is taken to make a winning debut ahead of Latanier and Istron Bay. The last-named showed nothing on debut but the ground was vile that day and he should not be overlooked, with the stable sending out plenty of winners and plenty in bumpers. However Paul Nicholls must always be respected in these races and his Bump In The Night looks worth siding with. Related to several winners (including bumper winners), the selection will no doubt start a rather short price but when the money is down they usually come up trumps. Pacco should improve for his debut run where he showed promise, whilst Latanier showed up well for a long way on his first start and should go well for an in-form stable. The newcomers will need checks in the betting, with Half-Cocked not to be overlooked for his local stable, however it is Bump In The Night who can lead them home.
Bump In The Night Midnight Legend gelding out of Cornwood.
Foxy Bob (IRE) Bob's Return gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Half Cocked Double Trigger gelding, half-brother to several winning bumpers.
Istron Bay 16-1 (10-12) Held up, some progress to mid-division, weakened quickly over 6f out, 16th of 19, well behind Freddie The Third (10-7) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Latanier (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 12l behind Silly Wupple (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (4) gd in Oct.
Major Upset (IRE) Oscar gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Optimum Asset (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 8th of 15, 32l behind Voice of Reason (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Pacco (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along 7f out, one pace final 3f, 6th of 14, 20l behind Big Eared Fran (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Sacred Bull 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 6f out, behind final 4f, 13th of 14, 39l behind Big Eared Fran (10-7) at Sandown 2m nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Wee Alfie (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden and weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 15, 34l behind Voice of Reason (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Nov.
